Accidental

Definition

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.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Accidentals are applied to specific notes within a measure and remain in effect for the duration of that measure unless canceled by another accidental or a natural sign.
2. In harmonic contexts, accidentals can create tension and resolution, enhancing musical expression and complexity.
3. Composers often use accidentals to add chromaticism to their pieces, allowing for richer harmonic progressions.
4. When sight-singing melodies, it's crucial to identify accidentals quickly, as they can significantly change the pitch of the notes being sung.
5. Accidentals can appear in any key signature and are fundamental in understanding key changes and modulation within a piece.

Review Questions

• How do accidentals affect the performance and interpretation of a piece of music?
  • Accidentals play a critical role in shaping the performance and interpretation of music by altering the pitch of specific notes. Musicians must recognize these symbols to execute the intended sounds accurately. Ignoring accidentals can lead to misinterpretation and a performance that lacks the intended expressiveness and tonal color. Therefore, understanding how accidentals function helps musicians convey the composer’s artistic intentions.
• Analyze the impact of accidentals on melodic sight-singing and provide examples of common scenarios.
  • Accidentals significantly impact melodic sight-singing as they require singers to adjust pitches from what may be expected based on the key signature. For instance, if a melody includes a sharp on a note that is usually natural in its key, singers must quickly adjust to maintain accuracy. Common scenarios include encountering accidentals in cadences where tension is created through chromatic movement or when transitioning between scales. Being adept at recognizing and interpreting these symbols enhances a singer's ability to perform melodies accurately.
• Evaluate how accidentals contribute to the overall harmonic structure of a composition and their significance in musical genres.
  • Accidentals contribute greatly to the harmonic structure of a composition by introducing chromaticism, which adds complexity and depth. In genres such as jazz or classical music, accidentals can create unique chord progressions that challenge traditional harmonic expectations. This ability to manipulate pitches allows composers to craft nuanced emotional landscapes, making accidentals essential tools for expressing themes and motifs. The effective use of accidentals can elevate a piece from simple to intricate, engaging listeners through unexpected harmonic shifts.

Related terms

sharp:

A sharp is an accidental that raises the pitch of a note by a half step, indicated by the symbol ♯.

flat: A flat is an accidental that lowers the pitch of a note by a half step, indicated by the symbol ♭.

natural:

A natural is an accidental that cancels any previous sharps or flats, returning the note to its original pitch, represented by the symbol ♮.