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Music vocabulary · Music Theory and Harmony

Enharmonic

Meaning in music, with examples

adjectiveCommon term

In music, enharmonic means: Describing notes with different names that sound at the same pitch in equal temperament, such as C sharp and D flat.

In Turkish: enarmonik

How it is used

Used when reading or respelling notes. The spelling still matters because it shows a note's place in the scale or chord.

Example sentences

  1. These two enharmonic notes use the same key on our piano.

    The keyboard produces one pitch even though the score gives it two different names.

  2. Use the enharmonic spelling D flat so the chord is easier to read.

    The editor changes the written name to clarify the harmony without changing the piano sound.

Common collocations

  • enharmonic equivalent
  • enharmonic spelling
  • enharmonic notes
  • sharpThe symbol ♯ that raises a note by a semitone, or a note raised in this way. As an adjective, it also describes a note sung or played slightly too high.
  • flatThe symbol ♭ that lowers a note by a semitone, or a note lowered in this way. As an adjective, it also describes a note sung or played slightly too low.
  • key signatureThe group of sharps or flats written at the start of every staff, just after the clef, that shows the key of the piece and which notes are always raised or lowered.

More terms: Music Theory and Harmony

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