Topmusicanswers
- Why are double accidentals used?
- What are double accidentals?
- Why don't we use double flats or double sharps in major scales?
- How is figured bass calculated?
Why are double accidentals used?
The actual reason double accidentals were created was to complete music theory. An example of this would be in augmented and diminished notes. Your perfect 5th is an F#. To diminish it, you HAVE to drop the pitch a semitone, and so your diminished 5th would be an F♮ instead of an E#.
What are double accidentals?
Double accidentals raise or lower the pitch of a note by two semitones, an innovation developed as early as 1615. This applies to the written note, ignoring key signature. An F with a double sharp applied raises it a whole step so it is enharmonically equivalent to a G.
Why don't we use double flats or double sharps in major scales?
The reason that we have double-flats is a bit more complicated, since there are no scales that require us to modify existing notes by lowering notes. But there are chords that require us to lower the 7th note by placing a flat in front. If that key's 7th note is already flat, then you'd need to use a double-flat.
How is figured bass calculated?
How to Read and Write Figured Bass
- If the bass note is the root of a Seventh chord, then there is a “7” written below it.
- If the bass note is the 3rd of a Seventh chord, then there is a “6 5” written below it.
- If the bass note is the 5th of a Seventh chord, then there is a “4 3” written below it.
