What does a natural do?
I have a score with an A note with a natural on it. The key signature is D, so there are only sharps on F and C, not A. Does the natural just raise the A half a step or lower it? What is a natural's purpose if the note isn't already a sharp or flat?
And this is a dumb question (I know nothing...) but do the sharps or flats in a key signature only sharp or flat the notes on those lines?
Update:Thank you to the first comment, but then what the hell is the note then if it's in the key of D and the note is A and has a natural? Also, how do the sharps affect notes that aren't on them, other than they change the key signature?
Comments
Ron --
That's a bit clearer. As I said, a natural is simply a natural. It does not change the note unless it was previously sharped or flatted. Sometimes composers will insert a "courtesy" accidental to remind the performer to play the note as a natural, sharp, or flat, (whatever the case may be.)
The sharps or flats in the key signature apply to ALL notes, not just to the pitches shown.
There are no dumb questions.
Does this help?
G.
If you're reading in the key of D and you see an A natural, it means one of two things (assuming you understand how sharps and flats work, and that an accidental ends at the end of each bar).
Firstly, that there was either an A sharp or A flat within the bar (the natural will always be there in that case) or that there was an A sharp or A flat earlier on in the music, and they've written a natural in to remind you that this particular A is not sharped or flatted (this is a courtesy natural.. they really only appear in beginner and pop music).
Secondly, publisher misprint. These things happen all the time.
Did an earlier bar have an A#? There might have been an mordent, gruppetto or acciaccatura requiring A# or Ab, or there might have been an A# or Ab in the bass clef and this is a reminder that it doesn't also apply to the treble clef. There is a reason why you have an A natural - it is a reminder that the previous accidental doesn't apply here. You just haven't yet spotted where it is.
The sharps and flats in a key signature apply to every note of the same name, regardless of where it is on the staff.
It cancels a previous sharp or flat. Sometimes naturals are put in there where there might be some confusion over whether a note should be natural or not.
Two sharps can also be the key of b minor, which melodically would be expected to have some A sharps in it. An A natural in that context is perfectly understandable.
Possibilities:
• It's a cancellation of a previous sharp/flat in the measure
• There was a clef change to the bass clef and you're reading the F as an A in the treble clef
• A cautionary accidental (natural) because the passage that contains it would naturally flow with a non-natrual in it
• You are playing a part (in a larger score) where accidentals are included in other parts. The natural is included in your part for clarity.
• A typographical error.
... a natural is a natural , that's how the hell you play it.
Cos you were in B minor and not in D major, but then modulated into D major.