Letter notation

If we consider the chromatic scale, new sounds are obtained by lowering or raising the seven diatonic notes by a semitone by means of flats (♭) and sharps (♯).

Western letter pitch notation has the virtue of identifying discrete pitches, but among its disadvantages are its occasional inability to represent pitches or inflections lying outside those theoretically derived, or (leaving aside chordal and tablature notations) representing the relationship between pitches—e.g., it does not indicate the difference between a whole step and a half step, knowledge of which was so critical to Medieval and Renaissance performers and theorists.

A modified form is next found in the Dialogus de musica (ca.

Note names are also used for specifying the natural scale of a transposing instrument such as a clarinet, trumpet, or saxophone.

Where sharps or flats are necessary for this, these are related to the natural scale of the instrument if it has one, otherwise the choice is arbitrary.

C major scale letter notation. The print letters, above the staff, are not normally included. Play ⓘ
Map of current European preferred note naming
Fixed do solfège (Si,La diesis, Si bemolle)
English system (B, A#, Bb)
German system (H, Ais,B)
Dutch system (B, Ais,Bes)
Danish system (H, A#, Bb)
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