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1.2 · Chromatic Notes

Sharps & flats

Each black key sits between two letters, so it has two names: a sharp (♯) of the letter below, and a flat (♭) of the letter above.

Tap a black key

Black keys show both of their names. Try C♯. It's also D♭.

Big Cats Eat Fish

There's no black key between B and C, and none between E and F. Remember it as Big Cats Eat Fish.

B C E F

Semitones are the smallest step

The step from any key to its nearest neighbor, black or white, is a semitone. B to C is a semitone; so is C to C♯.

Quiz

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C♯ is the same note as…

Score 100% on every quiz and game to complete this lesson.Higher or lower