Tag: <span>half note</span>

03 Apr

Notes Naming Convention
Posted in Basics by admin on April 3, 2020 @ 6:52 pm

This article talks about the naming convention for the musical notes. It covers definitions on half notes (semitones), whole notes (full tones), sharps and flats.

Half Note: (H)

The note immediately adjacent to the reference note is called as a Half Note. They are also called as Semi Tones. 

Half Note Examples

Every reference note has two half notes (semitones).

  • One half note is UPwards (right hand side)
  • Another half note is DOWNwards (left hand side)

Whole Note: (W)

Two half notes make one whole note.

Whole Note Examples

Every reference note has two whole notes (full tones) too.

  • One whole note is 2 half notes UPwards (right hand side)
  • Another whole note is 2 half notes DOWNwards (left hand side)

Sharp: (#)

A sharp can be defined as 1 half note UP.

OR

1 semi tone towards the right hand side of the reference note. 

Sharp Notes

Sharps

So, the 5 black keys now have their sharp names.

But do E# and B# exist?

Special Sharps

Sharp exceptions

Yes, E# and B# exist. 

  • Since F is 1 half note UP of E, F is also called E# 
  • Since C is 1 half note UP of B, C is also called B#

Yes, E# and B# exist. 

Since F is 1 half note UP of E, F is also called E# 

Since C is 1 half note UP of B, C is also called B#

Flat: (b)

A flat can be defined as 1 half note DOWN.

OR

1 semi tone towards the left hand side of the reference note. 

Flat Notes

Flats

So, the 5 black keys now have their flat names too.

But do Fb and Cb exist?

Special Flats

Flat exceptions

Yes, Fb and Cb exist. 

Since E is 1 half note UP of F, E is also called Fb 

Since B is 1 half note UP of C, B is also called Cb