notation question - making a double sharp natural?

[luciferchrist]

I am studying for this entrance exam to major in music, and I am teaching myself notation since I need to be able to read and write fluently. Something I can't find an answer to is in regards to standard notation...

If I am writing a scale, like a melodic minor, using accidentals instead of writing the key signature, what do I do when I return a double sharp to a single sharp. Do I use the natural symbol, and the sharp when I am descending the scale? For instance:

Let's say I am writing a G#minor scale in melodic minor ascending and descending. Would I write it as:

let x = ##
let the natural symbol = ^

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

or do I just make the descending F look like: F# and take out the natural sign?

Thanks!

[crazyguy832]

If I am writing a scale, like a melodic minor, using accidentals instead of writing the key signature, what do I do when I return a double sharp to a single sharp. Do I use the natural symbol, and the sharp when I am descending the scale? For instance:
Okay, first of all, I have NEVER heard of a double-sharp. I'd simply write the double-sharp as one note above.

i.e. if the original note is an F#, the double-sharp would be a G, not an F##

That's needlessly confusing...

:amaze: :confused: :amaze: :confused:

So... in answer to your question... I don't know for sure, but what I'd do is simply write the double-sharp higher... keep it normal.

:p

[luciferchrist]

Okay, first of all, I have NEVER heard of a double-sharp. I'd simply write the double-sharp as one note above.

i.e. if the original note is an F#, the double-sharp would be a G, not an F##

That's needlessly confusing...

:amaze: :confused: :amaze: :confused:

So... in answer to your question... I don't know for sure, but what I'd do is simply write the double-sharp higher... keep it normal.

:p

music theory wise, I believe it is quite standard to double sharp when needed, rather than write a note up. The symbol for a double sharp is x
http://www.music.vt.edu/musicdictionary/textd/Doublesharp.html

Also, I was writing out a melodic minor scale, which raises the 6th and 7th by half a step going up right? So in G# major the E and the F# would both be raised by half a step when ascending. Thus E=E# (or F it's enharmonic, but for theory purposes we would call it E#), and the F# would become Fx (F##).

Yeah it's mad confusing, but this is considered "proper" for standard notation without a key signature.

[theclash89]

ok, i dont know if to post this here, or where to, but theres no other place to post about having a band really. ok im in a band, and we have a guitarist, bassist, drummer, and me, i sing lead, and i play backup guitar. well the guitarist and the bassist want to have their friend whos a guitarist, join the group. idk where this could go, coz he plays mostly acid rock, and i would just like some help. when the guitarist asked me, i didnt like it, coz i say we stick together. also , i cant make the band mad really too much coz we have a party gig to do this friday, that has to be done. what do i do? i said i would try it out, but idk if this is going to be good.

[Akira]

ok, i dont know if to post this here, or where to, but theres no other place to post about having a band really. ok im in a band, and we have a guitarist, bassist, drummer, and me, i sing lead, and i play backup guitar. well the guitarist and the bassist want to have their friend whos a guitarist, join the group. idk where this could go, coz he plays mostly acid rock, and i would just like some help. when the guitarist asked me, i didnt like it, coz i say we stick together. also , i cant make the band mad really too much coz we have a party gig to do this friday, that has to be done. what do i do? i said i would try it out, but idk if this is going to be good.
Dude, is this the first internet forum you have ever been on?

[Trigger_003]

Yes it is quite standard - it is particularly used in the creation of scales and the like. Where you are only supposed to have one of each letter name - i.e. if you had the notes G and G# in the same scale, it should formally be written as F##, G# (unless of course it is a chromatic or something).

Anyway, with your question about the natural... Natural-sharp is a bit of a contradiction; I don't see why you wouldn't just have F#.

[luciferchrist]

Yes it is quite standard - it is particularly used in the creation of scales and the like. Where you are only supposed to have one of each letter name - i.e. if you had the notes G and G# in the same scale, it should formally be written as F##, G# (unless of course it is a chromatic or something).

Anyway, with your question about the natural... Natural-sharp is a bit of a contradiction; I don't see why you wouldn't just have F#.


Yeah I was thinking it makes the most since to just use one sharp comming down, rather than a natural-sharp.

If I was writing it with a key signature, it would be different, as there would generally never be more than 1 sharp on the ledger line (not counting the sharps within the particular key). Therefore, it would only need a natural comming down, and not a natural-sharp combo (which is what confused me).

[Moseph]

music theory wise, I believe it is quite standard to double sharp when needed, rather than write a note up. The symbol for a double sharp is x
http://www.music.vt.edu/musicdictionary/textd/Doublesharp.html

Also, I was writing out a melodic minor scale, which raises the 6th and 7th by half a step going up right? So in G# major the E and the F# would both be raised by half a step when ascending. Thus E=E# (or F it's enharmonic, but for theory purposes we would call it E#), and the F# would become Fx (F##).

Yeah it's mad confusing, but this is considered "proper" for standard notation without a key signature.

For the most part, you only see double accidentals in writing scales and modes. However, the proper notation they're looking for in writing scales is usually one instance of each of the 8 notes in that scale using whatever accidental notations are required to make the note fit in the scale.