Double Sharps and Double Flats

Double Sharps

A Double Sharp is an accidental used to raise a note by a whole step (two half steps).

Double Flats

A Double Flat is an accidental used to lower a note by a whole step.

Accidentals natural sharp flat double flat and double sharp

To raise a note by a whole step means moving two half steps to the right to the next adjacent key on the piano keyboard. To lower a note by a whole step means moving two half steps to the left to the next adjacent key.

Enharmonic Notes

Remember that the same pitch sound on a piano keyboard can have more than one musical note names.

C double-sharp is a whole step higher than C, which is the D key on the piano keyboard.

E double-flat is a whole step lower than E. It is also the D key on the piano keyboard.

C double sharp E double flat and D are enharmonic notes

C double-sharp, E double-flat and D are enharmonic equivalent or enharmonic notes. They share the same pitch and sound exactly the same when played on a piano, but they are written differently on the staff.

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A piano keyboard showing all the enharmonic notes

A piano keyboard showing all the enharmonic notes.

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