SHARPS, FLATS, AND NATURALS

In order to alter the tone or pitch of a note, characters called Sharps and Plats are used. A Sharp (ft





When Sharps or Flats areplaced at the commencement of a piece, immediately after the clef, thus:
they are called the Signature, and des­ignate what key the piece is in.


When so placed,they affect.all notes throughoutthe piece bearing the same name as the lines or spaces on which Ihey are placed. For example, a sharp placed on the fifth line, _
which is F, tin theTreble clef), sig­nifies that ALL the Fs.whether high or low, are to be played sharp, ex­cept when contradictedbya natural.
Besides beingused for the signature ofapiece, sharps and flats are introduced in musical composi­tions, and are then called Accidentals. An Accidental
placed before a note, affects all the following notes of the same name" in that bar ONLY.


THE TIE, SLUR, TRIPLET, Etc.
The Tie, or Bind, is a curved line placed over or under two notes, occupying the same line or space,a"nd indicates that the first note only is played, and the sound prolonged the value of the two notes. '
The Slur is a curved line placed over or under two or more notes, occupying different positions on the staff, and signifies that they are to bo played in a smooth and connected manner. Example:—
Notes with Dots, or Dashes placed over or under them, are to be played short and distinct, which is termed STACCATO.
Examples:—
When, marked with the Dash, they are played very short and .distinct