Figure 2.8

Accidentals

Accidentals are always placed before the note that they modify, never behind. As a
notational convenience, an accidental will stay in effect throughout the measure
where it occurs. Any repetitions of that modified note within the measure remain
modified. The note reverts to its diatonic form in subsequent measures.In much
music of the modern era, accidentals only modify those notes that they
immediately precede. If this is the case, it is so indicated in performance notes.
Often however, as a reminder, composers will place a precautionary accidental
before the note that was previously chromatically altered.

Enharmonic Equivalence

All pitches, but chromatic pitches especially, may be “spelled” in different ways.
These differing spellings are context-dependent (or a matter of convenience) as will
be discussed below. Notes that share the same pitch space but employ different
spellings are said to be

enharmonically equivalent

.

Enharmonic equivalence

9

is an

attribute that will come to have greater significance as our argument progresses.

Figure 2.9

Enharmonic Equivalents

9. Enharmonic equivalence

describes pitches that share
the same pitch-space (sound
identical) but are “spelled”
differently.

Chapter 2 The Elements of Pitch:Sound, Symbol, and Tone

2.2 Chromatic Alteration: Accidentals

63