enharmoniset

Enharmonic refers to pitches that are spelled differently but sound the same in a given tuning system. In Western music, several pairs and triplets are enharmonic, such as C# and Db, D# and Eb, F# and Gb, G# and Ab, and B and Cb. In equal temperament, the octave is divided into 12 equal steps, so these spellings designate the same pitch class and are interchangeable in performance.

Historically, enharmonics did not always coincide in pitch. In tunings that are not equal tempered, such as meantone or just intonation, sharpening or flattening a note can produce slightly different frequencies. This means that an enharmonic pair like C# and Db may differ by a few cents, affecting harmony, modulation, and voice leading. The widespread adoption of 12-tone equal temperament minimizes these distinctions, allowing practical chromaticism where enharmonics function mainly as spelling choices rather than distinct pitches.

In musical notation, enharmonics reflect harmonic context and theoretical function. The choice between a sharp and a flat spelling can make chord progressions and scales easier to read, and it guides performers in voice leading and modulation. For example, a passage in a key with many sharps may favor F# over Gb, while one in a flat key may prefer Bb over A#. In practice, enharmonics are most prominent in notation and theory, while on modern tuned keyboards they often sound the same.

See also: enharmonic equivalence, equal temperament, meantone temperament, pitch class.