Flats and Sharps

What are Flats and Sharps

In previous lessons, we've discussed the 7 natural notes -- A, B, C, D, E, F, G -- as well as the various ways they can be identified and played on the fretboard. Flats and sharps are simply variations of the natural notes.

In particular, a note is flat when it is played one fret below where it normally is. Likewise, a note is sharp when it is played one fret above where it normally is.

For example, the third fret/first string is the G note. The fourth fret/sixth string -- one fret above the G note -- is known as the G sharp note. Sharp notes are often symbolized by the pound sign (#). For instance, G sharp is usually written as G#.

Likewise, the second fret/first string -- one fret below the third fret/sixth string -- can be referred to as the G flat note. Flat notes are often symbolized by a sign that resembles the lower case "b." As a result, G flat is usually written as Gb.

Note how flats and sharps are related. Using the examples above, the second fret/first string could be considered F# (one fret above the F note) or Gb (one fret below the G note). Likewise, the fourth fret/first string could be considered a G# (one fret above the G note) or an Ab (one fret below the fifth fret/first string A note).

Sample Exercise

The tablature below relies heavily on sharps and flats. Try playing it to practice the usage of sharps and flats in the context of a musical piece.

Audio Clip:



Tab:

E--5--4--2--5--4--2--5--4--2--------------------------------------------

B-------------------------------5--4--2--5--4--2--5--4--2---------------

G----------------------------------------------------------4--2--1-------

D-------------------------------------------------------------------4--2

A------------------------------------------------------------------------

E------------------------------------------------------------------------

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