  
8
Enharmonic
equivalents
Notes that represent the same pitch, but are located on a different
line or space (thus having a different letter name), are called
enharmonic equivalents. Roll your
mouse over the keyboard to see that G sharp and A flat both represent
the same key on the piano.
enharmonic
equivalents |
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In other words, every note on the piano keyboard can be "spelled"
at least two different ways. Notice the white keys can be spelled
three different ways!

It is important that you understand the concept of
enharmonics for future lessons. Although the same note on the
piano,
enharmonics such as Ab/G# are different in music notation (on the
staff).

Diatonic
vs. chromatic half steps
A diatonic
half step has different letter names (e.g.,
C to Db).
A chromatic
half step has the same letter names (e.g., C
to C#).
Roll your mouse over the staff
to see the same half step written (spelled) as a chromatic half
step.

(The terms "diatonic" and "chromatic" will be revisited
in a later lesson dealing with scales.)   
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