Why are some tunings expressed in flats and other sharps?

[Chad]

For example, you almost always see 1/2 step down from standard as Eb, yet 1.5 steps down is almost always referred to as C# instead of Db. Why?

[toejam]

Depends who you ask. I myself would say Db, but someone else may say C#.

[Argos]

They're enharmonic but their diatonic function differs in relation to the key or the application.

[levantin]

Conventionally it's C#, Eb, F#, Ab and Bb. Why? I have no idea. Perhaps someone has?

B# and E# are redundant anyway, but in theoretical terms, you use whatever makes diatonic sense. For example; A minor is A-B-C-D-E-F-G but if the 7th is raised to a major 7th to prevent confusion I would notate it as G# instead of Ab, as A already appears in the scale. Feel free to correct me if I'm full of shit.

Edited: because I'm an idiot who can't think straight.

[GodOfRhythm]

Argos and Levantin are pretty spot on. I usually just remember it by the need to have every note at least once in your scale. That's why sometimes you'll see double sharps or something. I'm probably full of shit too.

G major: GABCDEF#
G# major: G#A#B#C#D#E#F##

(F## instead of just G, because otherwise you'd have 2 G's and no F in your scale).

[drockilles]

Conventionally it's C#, Eb, F#, Ab and Bb. Why? I have no idea. Perhaps someone has?

B# and Gb are redundant anyway, but in theoretical terms, you use whatever makes diatonic sense. For example; A minor is A-B-C-D-E-F-G but if the 7th is raised to a major 7th to prevent confusion I would notate it as G# instead of Ab, as A already appears in the scale. Feel free to correct me if I'm full of shit.

B#? Are you talking about Homer Simpson's barbershop quartet?

[toejam]

B#, Cb and E# don't even exist.


Here's a note chart.

http://www.learnclassicalguitar.com/...-on-Guitar.jpg

[GodOfRhythm]

**see below**

[GodOfRhythm]

B# and Cb don't even exist.

They do exist, when the need for them to exist arrises. (See cited examples above and extrapolate to an example of having two C's or B's in a scale).

Take a C# major scale for example.

C# D# E# F# G# A# B#

You use a B# instead of a natural C, because C has already been used (though in sharpened form) Same for E# and F. It's just semantics, but it makes it easier to understand, I find.

[levantin]

B#? Are you talking about Homer Simpson's barbershop quartet?

That was my point exactly

[toejam]

Yeah, I guess the B# would exist in notation as the final and 7th sharp in that scale, but I would always refer to it as C natural. It makes more sense to me that way.

[GodOfRhythm]

Yeah, I guess the B# would exist in notation as the final and 7th sharp in that scale, but I would always refer to it as C natural. It makes more sense to me that way.

That's exactly the same. I just started learning it this way, and I find it easier to say Cb instead of B natural.

Like I said, just semantics. Now who's up for a beer?

[levantin]

Now who's up for a beer?

God please me

[levantin]

double post

[toejam]

double post

You mean double beers! I'll double up, too.