Accidentals are written according to the harmonic structure. An Ab minor chord consists of Ab - Cb - Eb. The minor thirdThis enharmonic treatment of notes I can (when I think fast) play but why is music written this way? Why a flat when going up but a sharp when descending?
Why this extra burden on the player?
Tradition?
Really? I've never thought of this. Explain further.There are also intonation implications. Technically D# is not exactly the same pitch as Eb
in some contexts even though they are fingered the same.
C C# D D#....ascending half steps to the octave and then descending from the octave in half steps to the tonic... Eb D Db C. Next lesson is the melodic minor scaleThis enharmonic treatment of notes I can (when I think fast) play but why is music written this way? Why a flat when going up but a sharp when descending?
Why this extra burden on the player?
Tradition?
Actually, when tuning chords, the tempered scale of a keyboard instrument or as displayed on a tuner is not really accurate and the pitch of certain notes have to be altered to sound really in tune. For example, for a major chord to really sound perfectly in tune the third of the chord actually must be flattened and experienced players will do this either consciouslyReally? I've never thought of this. Explain further.