Accidental

Definition

An accidental is a symbol used in music notation to indicate a change in pitch from the natural note, usually raising or lowering it. Accidental notes can introduce chromaticism to melodies, allowing for more complex harmonic structures and emotional expressions. They are essential in the context of melody writing as they create tension and resolution, enriching the musical narrative.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Accidentals are represented by specific symbols: sharps (♯), flats (♭), and naturals (♮).
2. They can be applied to any note in a measure, affecting only that measure unless otherwise indicated by a key signature.
3. In melody writing, accidentals can help create tension, color, and expressiveness in musical phrases.
4. Accidentals can appear before the note they modify or in a different octave, but their effect remains confined to the bar unless indicated otherwise.
5. Musicians often need to stay aware of accidentals when reading music, as they can change the expected pitches and harmonic context.

Review Questions

• How do accidentals enhance melodic writing and contribute to musical expression?
  • Accidentals enhance melodic writing by introducing pitches that deviate from the established key signature, allowing composers to explore chromaticism. This alteration creates tension and resolution within the melody, making it more dynamic and engaging. By using accidentals thoughtfully, a songwriter can evoke different emotions and colors, enriching the overall musical expression.
• Compare and contrast the roles of sharps, flats, and naturals in music notation and their impact on melodies.
  • Sharps raise the pitch of a note by a half step, while flats lower it by a half step. Naturals serve to cancel out the effects of sharps and flats, restoring the note to its original pitch. Each accidental has a unique impact on melodies: sharps often add brightness or tension, flats can create a darker or softer quality, and naturals help clarify pitch when transitioning between altered notes. Together, they allow for greater flexibility in melodic composition.
• Evaluate how the use of accidentals in melody writing reflects broader trends in music composition throughout history.
  • The use of accidentals in melody writing reflects significant trends in music composition, such as the move from modal to tonal harmony during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Composers began to utilize accidentals more frequently as they explored chromaticism, which became essential in expressing emotion and complexity in their works. Over time, this practice laid the groundwork for later developments in Romanticism and beyond, where composers like Chopin and Wagner employed accidentals to convey deep emotional landscapes and innovative harmonic structures, illustrating their importance in shaping modern music.

Related terms

sharp: A sharp is an accidental that raises the pitch of a note by a half step, altering its natural form.

flat: A flat is an accidental that lowers the pitch of a note by a half step, changing its natural sound.

natural: A natural is an accidental that cancels a previous sharp or flat, restoring the note to its original pitch.