Basics

Sharps and flats: the black keys

What those black keys are called, and why they have two names.

2 min read

The black keys are the notes between the white ones. A sharp (♯) means the note just above; a flat (♭) means the note just below. So the black key between C and D can be called C♯ or D♭ — same key, two names.

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The five black keys in one octave — each sits between two white keys.

Why two names?

The name we use depends on the key the music is in — we’ll get to that later. For now, just know that a sharp raises a note and a flat lowers it by the smallest step on the piano.

Tip: There’s no black key between E–F or B–C. Those pairs are already as close as two keys can be.