I'm very new to trying to read music and have run across something that I can't seem to find a direct answer for. I'm a noob at reading so go easy on me.

My question:

If a note on the staff is sharped/flatted does the next time you hit that note in the same measure get handled with the same sharp/flat unless the special little dohicky is there?

This is also if no flats/sharps are present in the beginning of the music.

I'll elaborate if this doesn't make sense. Hopefully it does.

If a note on the staff is sharped/flatted does the next time you hit that note in the same measure get handled with the same sharp/flat unless the special little dohicky is there?



Yes. Unless that note has a new sign on it in the same measure, it will continue to be sharp (or flat or natural) for the rest of the measure.

Yes. Unless that note has a new sign on it in the same measure, it will continue to be sharp (or flat or natural) for the rest of the measure.


Thank you. It seemed like that was the case but I didn't want to get into any bad habits without knowing the TRUTH.

You got it.

Another way of putting it is that accidentals (flats, sharps, or naturals not in the key signature) are assumed to carry through the remainder of the measure in which they appear.

Through the measure, but NOT over the barline.