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Natural (music)
Natural (music)
Natural (music)
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Example
An A natural, then A♭.
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In modern Western music notation, a natural (♮) is a musical symbol that cancels a previous sharp or flat on a note in the written music. The natural indicates that the note is at its unaltered pitch.[1]

♮
Natural (music)
In UnicodeU+266E
(HTML : &#9838)

The natural symbol can be used as an accidental to cancel sharps or flats on an individual note. It may also be shown in a key signature to indicate that sharps or flats in a previous key signature are cancelled.

{ \omit Score.TimeSignature \key c \major \time 2/1 ais'1 a'1 aes'! a'}
{ \omit Score.TimeSignature \key e \major s8^"" \bar "||" \key g \major s^"" \bar "||" \key aes \major s^"" \bar "||" \key f \major s^""}

A note is referred to as 'natural' when the letter-name note (A, B, C, D, E, F, or G) is not modified by a flat or sharp (either from a key signature or an accidental). These notes correspond to the white keys on the keyboard of a piano. A key signature with no sharps or flats generally indicates A minor or C major, using all natural notes with no sharps or flats.

The natural sign is derived from a square b used to denote B♮ in medieval music (in contrast with the round b denoting B♭, which became the flat symbol).

Usage

[edit]

Like all accidental markings, the natural symbol is written to the left of the note head and applies to subsequent notes of the same pitch through the remainder of the measure.

{ \omit Score.TimeSignature \relative c'' { b!1 }}

A note marked with a natural sign can be changed to a flat or sharp by simply applying the new accidental.

{ \omit Score.TimeSignature \key c \major \time 4/4 b'!2 bes' b'! bis'}

A natural sign (♮) cancels a flat or sharp from a previous note or key signature.

{ \omit Score.TimeSignature \key aes \major s8^"" \bar "||" \key f \major s^""}
{ \omit Score.TimeSignature \key e \major s8^"" \bar "||" \key g \major s^""}

Sometimes these cancelling naturals at a key change are omitted, but they must be used if the new key has no sharps or flats.

\relative c' { \omit Score.TimeSignature \set Staff.printKeyCancellation = ##f \key aes \major s8^"" \bar "||" \key f \major s^"" \bar "||" \key e \major s^"" \bar "||" \key c \major s^"" }

Double natural

[edit]

A double natural is a symbol that has two naturals (♮♮). It may be used to cancel a double flat or double sharp, but in modern notation a single natural sign (♮) is acceptable.[2]

{ \omit Score.TimeSignature \relative c'' { beses2_"Older Practice" \tweak Accidental.restore-first ##t b bisis \tweak Accidental.restore-first ##t b beses_"Modern Practice" b bisis b } }

Similarly, a double flat or double sharp can be changed to a single flat or sharp with a simple ♭ or ♯, but older notation may use ♮♭, ♭♮, ♮♯ or ♯♮ instead. Triple sharps and triple flats are extremely rare, but may be canceled using the same notation options.[3] When changing a flat to a sharp or vice-versa, the combined symbols ♮♯ or ♮♭ can be used.[4]

{ \omit Score.TimeSignature \relative c'' { beses2_"Older Practice" bes bisis bis \accidentalStyle modern beses_"Modern Practice" bes bisis bis } }

Music notation software

[edit]

In the music notation program LilyPond, naturals are used at a key signature change to cancel a flat or sharp from the previous key signature, but are not shown when a single flat or sharp changes to double flat or double sharp. The following shows key changes from A-flat major to F-flat major to G-flat major in Lilypond.

{ \omit Score.TimeSignature \key aes \major s8^"" \bar "||" \key fes \major s^"" \bar "||" \key ges \major s^"" }

In the music notation editing program MuseScore, a software bug causes a new key signature to not display naturals when changing from a key that the user has created, even if the new key has no flats or sharps. The following example shows G-sharp major changing to C major.[5]

{ \omit Score.TimeSignature \key gis \major _\markup { \halign #-.3 "G-sharp major ➡ C-major"} s^"" \bar "||"s^"" }

Unicode

[edit]

The Unicode character MUSIC NATURAL SIGN '♮' (U+266E) should display as a natural sign. Its HTML entity is ♮. Other assigned natural signs are as follows:

  • U+1D12E 𝄮 MUSICAL SYMBOL NATURAL UP
  • U+1D12F 𝄯 MUSICAL SYMBOL NATURAL DOWN

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Natural (music)

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
In musical notation, the natural (♮) is an accidental symbol that indicates a note should be performed at its unaltered pitch, specifically canceling the effect of any preceding sharp (♯) or flat (♭) on the same note within the same measure or key signature. This symbol restores the note to its position in the diatonic scale, effectively raising a flatted note by a half step or lowering a sharped note by a half step relative to the accidental's influence. The natural is one of three primary accidentals in Western music theory, alongside the sharp and flat, and is essential for modulating keys or introducing chromatic alterations without permanent changes to the overall tonality. The natural sign originated in medieval music notation during the 11th century, evolving from the "square b" (b quadratum), a variant of the letter "b" used to denote B natural (B♮) in contrast to the round "b" (b rotundum) for B flat (B♭). This distinction arose in the hexachord system developed by Guido d'Arezzo, where the square b indicated the "hard" or natural hexachord starting on C, helping singers navigate solmization syllables without mi-fa semitones on B. Over time, as notation standardized in the Renaissance and Baroque periods, the square b simplified into the modern ♮ shape, while the round b became the flat (♭), and a vertical line through the square b evolved into the sharp (♯). In practice, a natural accidental applies only to the specific note it precedes and affects all subsequent occurrences of that pitch class (including octaves) within the same measure, unless overridden by another accidental. It is placed immediately to the left of the notehead on the staff, and courtesy naturals—optional reminders—are often used at the start of a new measure or after a rest to clarify pitch for performers. While double naturals (𝄐) exist in rare theoretical contexts to explicitly cancel double sharps or flats, the single natural suffices for most standard Western classical, popular, and jazz applications. The symbol's use underscores music's chromatic flexibility, enabling composers like Bach and Beethoven to create expressive tensions and resolutions beyond the natural diatonic framework.

Fundamentals

Definition and Purpose

In music notation, the natural sign (♮) is an accidental symbol that cancels the effect of a preceding sharp (♯) or flat (♭), thereby restoring the affected note to its original pitch within the diatonic scale. This restoration addresses the inherent limitation of Western music notation, which uses only seven letter names for twelve distinct pitches, allowing composers to precisely indicate when a chromatically altered note should revert to its diatonic state. The primary purpose of the natural accidental is to maintain the tonal of a piece by preventing unintended chromatic alterations that could disrupt the established key or mode, ensuring melodic and harmonic clarity. For instance, following an F♯ in a (such as a temporary chromatic alteration in C ), an F♮ would return the note to the white key F on , preserving the intended tonal flow. Similarly, in a with flats, such as (which includes B♭), a natural sign before a B produces B♮, allowing the to introduce a temporary chromatic element without altering the overall key structure. When applied, the natural accidental affects the specific note it precedes and all subsequent occurrences of that pitch within the same measure, unless overridden by another accidental; its effect does not carry over to the next bar. This scoped duration enables flexible pitch adjustments in complex passages while upholding the diatonic framework of the composition.

Relation to Other Accidentals

The natural accidental (♮) serves a corrective function within the system of accidentals, primarily by canceling the effect of a preceding sharp (♯) or flat (♭) on a given pitch, thereby restoring it to its unaltered pitch in the prevailing key. In contrast, a sharp raises the pitch by one semitone, while a flat lowers it by one semitone; for instance, applying a natural to C♯ returns the note to C♮, and to E♭ yields E♮. This restorative role distinguishes the natural from the alterative actions of sharps and flats, enabling precise adjustments in melodic and harmonic contexts without permanently altering the key signature. In the hierarchy of accidentals, the natural takes precedence over key signatures, nullifying any implied sharps or flats for the affected note and all subsequent instances of that pitch within the same measure, unless overridden by another accidental later in the bar. For example, in a key with A♯ (such as E major), a natural before an A cancels the sharp, producing A♮ for that note and any following A's in the measure, but a subsequent sharp on a later A would reinstate the raised pitch. This sequential precedence allows for layered chromatic alterations, where naturals provide temporary restoration amid ongoing modifications. Naturals play a key role in chromatic scales by facilitating stepwise motion through the full twelve-tone spectrum, such as in ascending or descending passages where they cancel prior alterations to access unaltered pitches. In modulations, they support smooth transitions between keys by enabling temporary chromatic shifts—such as restoring a pitch to its natural state after a —without necessitating a full change, thus maintaining the overall tonal framework while introducing brief deviations. Courtesy naturals appear in scores as optional reminders to clarify pitch intentions, particularly after a key change or when an accidental from a previous measure might cause for the same note in the following bar. For instance, following a modulation that introduces a flat, a courtesy natural may precede a return to the unaltered pitch to ensure performers recognize the restoration, enhancing readability without altering the music's effect.

Notation Practices

Standard Notation

The standard natural symbol, denoted as ♮, visually resembles a small square with a vertical line through its center, positioned immediately before the it affects on the musical staff. This symbol is placed on the same line or space as the note it modifies, ensuring alignment with the pitch's vertical position to avoid in reading. In standard notation, it serves as an immediate corrective accidental against prior sharps or flats, restoring the note to its unaltered pitch as defined by the letter name (e.g., F rather than F♯ or F♭). Placement rules dictate that the natural sign precedes the notehead, typically at a small distance to the left, and its effect applies to that specific note and all subsequent occurrences of the same pitch within the same measure, unless another accidental intervenes or the bar line is reached. The symbol's influence does not extend beyond the measure boundary, requiring reapplication in later measures if the cancellation is to persist. Performers interpret the natural as an instantaneous pitch adjustment, reading it as a directive to play the note in its natural state from that point forward until the measure ends, which facilitates smooth execution in contexts like key changes or chromatic passages. In the treble clef, for instance, within a context (where F is typically sharpened in the ), a sign placed before an F on the bottom line of the staff—such as in a measure reading | G F♮ A |—indicates the second note should be performed as F , overriding the for that F and any subsequent Fs in the measure. Similarly, in the bass clef under the same key, a before an F on the top line—e.g., | D F♮ B |—restores that F to its natural pitch, appearing as a ♮ symbol aligned with the top line, ensuring the performer adjusts from the expected F♯ to F across the . These conventions maintain clarity in multi-voice scores, where the 's position relative to the staff lines or spaces directly informs the pitch correction.

Double Natural

The double natural is an accidental symbol that completely cancels the effects of a double sharp (𝄪) or double flat (𝄫), restoring the note to its pitch. It is typically represented as two natural signs placed side by side (♮♮), though in some theoretical contexts it may appear as a distinct combined form. This accidental is theoretical and rare in practice; in common usage, a single suffices to cancel a double sharp or double flat. Its use ensures precise pitch restoration without ambiguity in dense harmonic textures, though it is not essential as modern notation favors the single . In notation, the double natural is positioned before the notehead, like other accidentals, and its effect applies to all subsequent instances of that pitch within the same measure unless overridden. The double natural extends the function of the standard single as a basis for handling augmented alterations.

Digital Representation

In Music Notation Software

In music notation software, natural signs are typically input during note entry using dedicated keyboard shortcuts or by selecting from an on-screen palette. For example, in Finale, users press "n" in Simple Entry mode to apply a natural accidental to the current note, while the Accidental tool can be activated with Alt+N for manual placement. In Sibelius, the numeric keypad's "7" key inserts a natural before entering a note pitch. MuseScore employs the "=" key to toggle a natural accidental, with customizable shortcuts available in the Preferences menu under Note Input. Dorico uses "0" for naturals during input, alongside palette selection in the Notes panel for precise control. These methods facilitate efficient , allowing composers to specify pitch alterations without interrupting the entry . Display and rendering of the natural symbol (♮) are handled automatically by the software's engines, which position it to the left of the at a standard distance and scale it proportionally to the staff size. In dense scores, algorithms detect potential collisions with adjacent elements like beams or other , automatically adjusting horizontal or vertical offsets to maintain legibility—for instance, Dorico's stacking engine orders multiple accidentals in columns and shifts them as needed to avoid overlap. Finale and Sibelius similarly employ collision avoidance rules, nudging symbols based on predefined parameters to conform to professional standards. This ensures consistent visual appearance across platforms, though custom fonts like (in Finale) or (in Sibelius) influence the exact rendering. Processing features in these tools include algorithms for suggesting naturals at bar lines or breaks to remind performers of restored pitches, with options to toggle automatic generation. For transposition, software preserves explicit naturals by adjusting the resulting pitch while maintaining the accidental's effect relative to the new key—for example, MuseScore's transposition dialog includes a "Keep degree alterations" option to retain original spellings. export compatibility is achieved by converting naturals to the appropriate note numbers (e.g., a natural C becomes note 60), ignoring the visual symbol since lacks notation-specific data, thus ensuring playback fidelity in DAWs without loss of pitch information. Common issues include font inconsistencies, where the natural symbol may render differently or incorrectly across operating systems or when exporting to PDF, often due to reliance on system fonts lacking full music glyph support. Solutions involve selecting specialized music fonts (e.g., Bravura in MuseScore and Dorico) or embedding fonts during export. Additionally, adherence to standards like the Music Encoding Initiative (MEI) helps mitigate interchange problems, as MEI explicitly encodes naturals via the element with "natural" attribute, ensuring consistent representation when importing or exporting between software.

Unicode Encoding

The natural sign in music notation is represented in Unicode by the code point U+266E (♮), officially named "MUSICAL SYMBOL NATURAL" and located in the Miscellaneous Symbols block (U+2600–U+26FF). This character was introduced in Unicode version 1.1 in June 1993 to support basic musical accidentals alongside the flat (U+266D ♭) and sharp (U+266F ♯). For more specialized musical notation, the Musical Symbols block (U+1D100–U+1D1FF), added in Unicode 3.1 in 2001, includes variants such as the natural up (U+1D12E 𝄮) and natural down (U+1D12F 𝄯), which denote quarter-tone alterations above or below the natural pitch. These advanced symbols enhance precision in microtonal music representation. The double natural, used to explicitly cancel a double sharp or double flat, lacks a dedicated single code point and is typically rendered as two consecutive U+266E characters (♮♮). Rendering of these symbols requires fonts with appropriate glyph support, particularly for the Musical Symbols block. Notable examples include , a SMuFL-compliant font developed by for high-quality music , and Emmentaler, used in the for classical and ancient music glyphs. These fonts ensure consistent visual appearance across applications by mapping glyphs to code points. In digital formats, the natural symbol integrates into XML-based standards like , which references code points via the Standard Music Font Layout (SMuFL) for interoperability in notation software and web rendering. For web applications, and CSS support embedding U+266E through entities like ♮ or direct character insertion, often paired with @font-face declarations to load music-specific fonts for optimal display. Legacy systems may approximate the symbol using substitutions or basic ASCII characters, though this compromises accuracy.

References

  1. https://musictheory.pugetsound.edu/mt21c/Accidentals.html
  2. https://aquila.usm.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1002&context=textbooks
  3. https://milnepublishing.geneseo.edu/fundamentals-function-form/chapter/5-pitch/
  4. http://www.medieval.org/emfaq/harmony/hex1.html
  5. http://tonalsoft.com/enc/s/sharp.aspx
  6. https://blogs.iu.edu/jsomcomposition/music-notation-style-guide/
  7. https://dictionary.onmusic.org/terms/1189-double_natural
  8. https://www.open.edu/openlearn/history-the-arts/introduction-music-theory-2-pitch-and-notation/content-section-3.1
  9. https://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/music-theory/s07-02-chromatic-alteration-accidenta.html
  10. https://www.open.edu/openlearn/history-the-arts/music/an-introduction-music-theory/content-section-6.1
  11. https://milnepublishing.geneseo.edu/fundamentals-function-form/chapter/8-major-keys-and-key-signatures-2/
  12. https://theory.esm.rochester.edu/integral/32-2018/goldenberg/
  13. https://open.maricopa.edu/sightreadingforguitar/chapter/1023/
  14. https://www.dolmetsch.com/musicalsymbols.htm
  15. https://human.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Music/Music_Theory/Music_Fundamentals_(Ewell_and_Schmidt-Jones)/01%3A_Pitch_and_Major_Scales_and_Keys/1.04%3A_Pitch-_Sharp_Flat_and_Natural_Notes
  16. https://usermanuals.finalemusic.com/FinaleMac/Content/Finale/ht-accidentals.htm
  17. https://www.sibelius.com/cgi-bin/helpcenter/chat/chat.pl?com=thread&start=476755&groupid=3&&guest=1
  18. https://musescore.org/en/handbook/4/all-keyboard-shortcuts
  19. https://www.steinberg.help/r/dorico-se/4.3/en/dorico/topics/write_mode/write_mode_note_input/write_mode_accidentals_inputting_t.html?contentId=ZyZoqxVJo6UaVPFCnpFsKA
  20. https://blog.dorico.com/2014/03/development-diary-part-six/
  21. https://usermanuals.finalemusic.com/Finale2014Win/Content/Finale/Keyboard_Shortcuts_and_Special_Mouse_Clicks.htm
  22. https://makingthemostofnotationsoftware.blog/2013/03/16/cautionary-accidentals-finale-and-sibelius/
  23. https://musescore.org/en/node/285108
  24. https://musescore.org/en/node/172986
  25. https://musescore.org/en/node/325316
  26. https://music-encoding.org/guidelines/v5/content/shared.html
  27. https://www.unicode.org/charts/PDF/U1D100.pdf
  28. https://lilypond.org/doc/v2.24/Documentation/notation/the-emmentaler-font
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