0

I play guitar and for one of my songs, the sheet music shows sharps for only higher notes and not the lower notes. Do I apply the sharps to the lower notes? For example, G on string 1 is a sharp but it doesn't specify that G on string 6 is a sharp.enter image description here

Bluskyz
  • 1
  • 1
    In general it is worth using the Search function (top left hand side of screen) before posting a question to make sure you aren't just repeating a question that has already been asked. – Brian Towers Jul 27 '22 at 15:47

2 Answers2

5

That's the key signature, which tells which letter name notes are sharpened. There's only need to put a sharp sign there on the F line, and musos will assume all F notes throughout the piece are sharpened, regardless of which octave they're in., unless cancelled by the natural sign (♮). The same goes for the other sharps, and all flats, in flat keys.

In fact, just playing the piece with only the top line F sharpened, and others played as naturals, would sound rather strange, wouldn't it?

However, if you find a stray sharp, flat or natural sign in front of a note somewhere else, that only lasts for the bar, and is known as an accidental. The ones you ask about aren't accidentals, they're put there on purpose!

Tim
  • 192,860
  • 17
  • 187
  • 471
1

What you showed us is a key signature. It sharpens all F, C, G and D notes in all octaves.

But there are also 'accidentals'. They persist only until the next barline, and only at that exact pitch.

But, when that strict rule could cause confusion, a reminder 'cautionary accidental' is sensible. Required, even.

enter image description here

Laurence
  • 92,867
  • 5
  • 62
  • 200