Music theory : accidentals 2/2 : double accidentals

Sébastien Rostagno -

Hi,

In the previous article, we first learnt what were ♭ and ♯ ... See this post for details !

Today, we'll discover 2 more accidentals :

  • double sharp : 𝄪
  • double flat : 𝄫

Their use is mainly related to minor keys[1] or diminished chords[1:1]. We'll talk about that in their respective posts.

The double sharp (𝄪) raises a note one whole step, and looks like a cross
Here is an example using double sharps.

The first measures show a double sharp in a melodic context, whereas the last measures show how double sharps behave. (a double sharp cancel all previous accidentals, and is cancelled by any accidentals) Note that a **𝄪F** sounds like a **G**. We'll see in the minor scales post why sometimes it is more convenient to write **𝄪F** instead of **G**.

The double flat (𝄫) lowers a note by a whole step, and looks like two flats glued together.
Here is an example using double flats.

Note that, like double sharp, or any accidentals, a double flat cancel all previous accidentals, and is cancelled by any accidentals. Besides, **𝄫B** sounds like a **A**. We'll see in the diminished seventh chord post why sometimes it is more convenient to write **𝄫B** instead of **A**.

That's all for today :)

Have a good day
Sebastien

  1. As in this score, ↩︎ ↩︎