In the Musical theory, a sharp is a Symbole graphic (♯) pertaining to the family of the deteriorations and whose function is to indicate on the partition, that the natural height of the note associated with this sharp must be high of a chromatic Demi-ton.

the affected note of a sharp known as “is diésée”. A note can be diésée for all kinds of reasons: modulation, Transposition, ornamentation, use of the chromatic scale…

There very exists also a double-sharp (), used in some Tonalité S faded.

Effect of the sharp

The effect of the sharp is different according to whether this one is accidental or constitutive - i.e., when it is with the armor but it in any case increases the note of a chromatic Demi-ton.

Accidental sharp

The effect of the accidental sharp is temporary. It deteriorates all the notes of the same name and of the same height being after him, and this, until next the Barre of measurement, except of course, so meanwhile another deterioration appears modifying the height of this same note.

Constitutive sharp

The effect of the constitutive sharp (or " with the key ") is permanent. During all the carried, it deteriorates all the notes of the same name, and even of different height this time - whatever the octave, therefore -, except of course, so meanwhile intervenes another deterioration modifying the height of the note in question.

These sharps “with the key” are usually recalled to the beginning of each line of range, and to each change of key. They constitute the armor of the section of the piece. One find them always arranged in this order and this whatever their number: F, C, ground, D, the, semi one, if. It is the order of the sharps, or rather the cycle of rising fifths while starting with F.

Representation of the sharp in data processing

The sharp and the keyboard

Contrary to an generally accepted idea, the numerical symbol # ( in hash ) is not a sharp (♯). The english-speaking, in particular the American , name it “in number sign” or “hash”, and it is useful, inter alia, of equivalent with in number within the meaning of “number” (#5: in number five , “number five”) and with in pound , “delivers”, when delivers it in question is a weight and not the currency (5#: five pounds , “five books”). It is old a Latin binding. Symbol # being however unknown French-speaking uses, when the first keyboards to have it arrived, one named the key carrying it “touches sharp”, believer to deal with such a sign. The english-speaking, however, say well in hash key or in pound key (“ in hash touches” or “touches delivers ”).

The sharp and Unicode

Unicode distinguishes the two characters besides: first is coded with the U+0023 site while the second is with U+266F. One however often uses # in the place of the sharp for reasons of facility; to on this subject see the Guide of the difficulties of drafting in music .

The sharp and Latex

LaTeX makes it possible to trace the symbol of the sharp easily. Syntax is $\backslash \; backslash\; \backslash ,\; sharp$ and the result is $\backslash \; sharp$.

See too

• Deterioration (musical theory)
• Armor (music)
• Natural sign
• Flat
• theoretical and technical Glossary of the Western music
• Interval (musical theory)
• Music
• Representation of the musical symbols in data processing
• Theory of the Western music