Enharmonic

Enharmonic refers to notes, intervals, or chords that sound the same on most modern Western instruments but are written with different spellings. The concept reflects how notation encodes melodic and harmonic function as well as pitch.

In equal temperament, which dominates Western practice, the octave is divided into 12 equal steps, making enharmonic spellings such as C sharp and D flat sound identical. Despite sounding the same, the spellings imply different musical functions or contextual keys. For example, C sharp is more common in keys with sharps, while D flat appears in keys with flats; choosing one spelling over another can clarify voice leading or modulation in analysis and performance.

Historically, enharmonic spellings could correspond to distinct pitches in other tuning systems. In just intonation or meantone temperament, C sharp and D flat may differ by small intervals known as commas. Thus enharmonic equivalence is not universal outside equal temperament, and spellings can reflect tuning and functional relationships rather than identical pitches.

Common examples include C# and Db, which are enharmonic; E# equals F; B# equals C; and Cb equals B. The preferred spelling often depends on harmonic context, scale construction, or modulation targets. In practice, enharmonic spellings help convey chromatic relationships, tonal functions, and historical tuning practices, even when the audible pitch remains the same.