natural

theoryNATCH-er-ulfrom English

An accidental that cancels a previous sharp or flat.‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‍‌‌

In Depth

A natural sign (♮) cancels a previous sharp or flat, returning a note to its unaltered pitch.‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‍‌‌ If a key signature includes F♯, a natural sign before an F in the music temporarily restores it to F♮ for the remainder of that measure. Naturals are essential for clarity in music notation. They appear as courtesy or cautionary accidentals — reminders that a previously altered note has returned to its natural state, even when this is technically already implied by the bar line. In educational contexts, understanding the difference between sharps, flats, and naturals is one of the first steps in learning to read music.

Did you know?

The natural sign (♮) evolved from the medieval letter b — specifically from the squared-off version (b quadratum) used to indicate the un-flatted note.

Related Terms

sharp flat

More in Theory

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accidental

A sharp, flat, or natural sign that alters a note from the prevailing key signature.

accidentals explained

Symbols placed before notes to raise or lower their pitch by a semitone or return them to their natural state

acoustic

Relating to sound or the properties of sound, especially music produced without electronic amplification.

Aeolian mode

The natural minor scale, with the pattern W-H-W-W-H-W-W, producing the most common minor tonality in Western music.

aleatory

Music in which some element of the composition is left to chance or to the performer's discretion.

alto

The second-highest voice type, or an instrument pitched between soprano and tenor.

amplitude

The measure of a sound wave's intensity, perceived as loudness or volume.

anacrusis

One or more notes before the first full bar of a piece, also called a pickup or upbeat.

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