accidentals explained
Symbols placed before notes to raise or lower their pitch by a semitone or return them to their natural state
In Depth
The five standard accidentals are: sharp (♯, raises by a semitone), flat (♭, lowers by a semitone), natural (♮, cancels a sharp or flat), double sharp (𝄪, raises by a whole tone), and double flat (𝄫, lowers by a whole tone). An accidental applies to the note for the remainder of the bar unless cancelled. Courtesy accidentals (in parentheses) remind the performer of the key signature after a previous accidental, even when technically unnecessary. Correct use of accidentals is essential for readable notation.
The word accidental comes from the Latin accidentalis, meaning non-essential — these notes fall outside the essential notes of the key signature.