An accidental is a musical symbol that alters the pitch of a note, typically by raising or lowering it from its original position within a scale. Accidental symbols like sharps (♯), flats (♭), and naturals (♮) are used to modify the notes in a piece of music, creating a variety of tonal colors and expressive possibilities. Understanding accidentals is essential for both reading and performing music accurately, as they provide important cues for interpreting the intended sound.
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