How do accidental notes work in a blues song?

1. What is the rule for accidentals in music?
2. How long does an accidental apply to a note?
3. How do accidentals affect a musical composition?
4. Does an accidental apply to the whole measure?

What is the rule for accidentals in music?

Accidentals apply to subsequent notes on the same staff position for the remainder of the measure where they occur, unless explicitly changed by another accidental. Once a barline is passed, the effect of the accidental ends, except when a note affected by an accidental is tied to the same note across a barline.

How long does an accidental apply to a note?

Accidentals last only until the end of the measure in which they appear. In the example below, note C sharp (in bar 1) is cancelled by the bar line. This means that note C in bar 2 (beat 1) is no longer affected by the sharp.

How do accidentals affect a musical composition?

A music accidental can turn a pitch sharp, flat, or back to its natural state. The most commonly used accidentals in music are the sharp (♯), the flat (♭), and the natural (♮). These accidentals raise or lower a pitch by a half-step, making the pitch either higher or lower than it was before the accidental.

Does an accidental apply to the whole measure?

Isn't it clear – accidentals in the key signature are always in force and for all octave registers unless annulled by natural signs. An accidental found in a measure is valid for this note and for the entire measure – no longer, no shorter.