Double Sharps, Double Flats & Naturals

Music Theory Major Scale Theory & Key Signatures
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When you just need that little bit more sharp or flat! :)


View the full lesson at Double Sharps, Double Flats & Naturals | JustinGuitar

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Very helpful! This could have been good to know before filling out the major scale worksheet as there are times when you need to refer to a B note as Cb in order to avoid using two of the same letters in the scale. Personally I was a little confused and had to refer to the completed sheet to see what was right. Everything else in the course has been crystal clear and almost immediately applicable. Loving the series, cheers!

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I am not sure to understand, why puting a double charp for a C instead of simply a D, the same for double flat ?

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@Laucamus Welcome to JustinGuitar and the community.

Double flats and double sharps are rarely used because they sit within scales / keys whose enharmonic equivalent names and notes are much more comfortably named without having to use double sharps or flats.

Your C## would be the root note of the C## major scale.

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

The scale is theoretically possible and does exist.
But no-one would use it when a much better option for those exact same pitches would be the D major scale, containing enharmonic equivalent notes.

D E F# G A B C#

The fact they exist is necessary when notes are being written within a particular major scale and the major scale formula (TTSTTTS) and the rule that each letter name can only be used once get applied.
Example:
A# major scale:
A#, B#, C##, D#, E#, F##, G##

I hope that helps.

Also - you only need to know a little about these at grade 3 of the theory course. There is deeper learning further along but don’t get too hung up on it yet.

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Hello Richard,

Thanks a lot for your answer

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