What is this notation symbol?

[dennish83377]

What does an X with one dot to the left and one dot the right represent? I am seeing this symbol on the staff, in a series of exercises related to non-scale tones.

thank you,
d

[DocBop]

Originally Posted by dennish83377

What does an X with one dot to the left and one dot the right represent? I am seeing this symbol on the staff, in a series of exercises related to non-scale tones.

thank you,
d

That is a double sharp. Sometimes used to keep things techincal correct scale degree wise. Instead of using an enharmonic name they use a double sharp.

So lets say you see a D double sharp, you are actally playing a E. You take the D and sharp it once you have a D# add the second sharp another half-step up and you are on E.

There are also double flats, same concept. Take a note and flat it twice.

[GaryM]

Sounds like a double-sharp, though I've not seen it with dots beside it, it's usually drawn like the seconds example here:

[arcellus]

or maybe one of these? these are simile marks. pretty informal, they just mean "keep it up" - like when a chord symbol has been indicated and the same chord is used in following bars.

[Jim Carr]

Originally Posted by dennish83377

What does an X with one dot to the left and one dot the right represent? I am seeing this symbol on the staff, in a series of exercises related to non-scale tones.thank you,
d

This sounds like you are describing a double sharp--assuming it is affixed to a single note and positioned/sized like a sharp, a natural, or a flat. BTW, double flat is just bb. AFAIK, there is no double natural, although a natural and a single sharp or flat have been used to cancel a double sharp into a single sharp, and same with flats. This is pretty rare, and subject to editorial whims.

The meaning of double sharp is to raise a note two semi-tones from it's natural pitch. Thus, d double sharp = e and e double sharp = f#.

You will find double sharps used to raise notes in keys with sharps already in the key signature for the note that needs to be raised.

Here is a simple example from basic harmony:

To make a dim7 from a dominant 7th, you can raise the root by a semi-tone.

If that root already has a sharp, you usually use a double sharp to raise it, like this: C#, E#, G#, B is V7 (C# is the root) in F# major. Thus, C.x., E#, G#, B is vii dim7 of vi in F# major: the leading-tone dim 7th chord of the D# F# A# minor triad. Note the the C double sharp root acts as the leading-tone to D#. On the piano, C double sharp is played on the D key.

This is probably more information than you need.

[dennish83377]

Thanks to all. It must be the double-sharp. I am seeing it next to a C in a key signature of B.
In this key, the exericise has the following series of eighth notes: C double-shap, D, C, D, B, F, (rest). Because all of those notes are sharps in the the key signature of B, do I play the C (which would normally be a C#) as a D or a D#?

If it's the latter, then why wouldn't it be written D, D, D, D, B, F?
cheers,
d

[Bassist4Life]

Originally Posted by dennish83377

Thanks to all. It must be the double-sharp. I am seeing it next to a C in a key signature of B.
In this key, the exericise has the following series of eighth notes: C double-shap, D, C, D, B, F, (rest). Because all of those notes are sharps in the the key signature of B, do I play the C (which would normally be a C#) as a D or a D#?

If it's the latter, then why wouldn't it be written D, D, D, D, B, F?
cheers,
d

I think I understand what you're saying.

Play: D, D#, D, D#, B, F#

I said "D" for the 3rd note because I assume the "double sharp" is an accidental that carries through the measure (unless the 3rd note has a sharp next to it).

Joe

PS. How many sharps do you see in the key signature? Are you sure it's B major/G# minor? Also, what style of music is it?

[dennish83377]

Bassist4Life,
There are 5 sharps in the key . I suppose the style of music is jazz but it is really just an exercise "Patters for B6 or BMaj 7 Functioning As I6 or IMaj7 (Ionian), Using Chromatic Non Scale Tone Approaches." Sheesh, that's a mouthful. It's from an old exercise book I found, "Flexibility and Improvisational Patterns for All Bass Clef Instruments."
Trying to freshen up my playing.