Sharps, flats and half steps
Lesson 8 of 14 · Beginner · What the black keys are called.
Half steps
A half step is the distance from one key to the very next key, black or white, with nothing in between.
C to C♯ is a half step. So is E to F: there's no black key between them. The same goes for B to C.
Sharps ♯
A sharp ♯ raises a note by a half step. C♯ is the black key just right of C; F♯ is the black key just right of F.
On the staff, the ♯ sign is written just before the note.
Flats ♭
A flat ♭ lowers a note by a half step. B♭ is the black key just left of B; E♭ is the black key just left of E.
On the staff, B♭ is written on the B line with a ♭ sign before it.
Two names for one key
Each black key has two names: the key between C and D is both C♯ and D♭. Which name is used depends on the music around it.
Explore and Try write black keys as sharps. White keys can have sharp names too, rarely: E♯ is the same key as F.
Practice
Half steps first.
Find the black keys by name. Any octave counts.
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