🎼 Same sound, different names 🎼 A note, same sound

enharmonic

8.6

A note, interval or chord that sounds the same as another but is written differently

noun
/ˌɛn.hɑːrˈmɒn.ɪk/

Specialized

: nota enarmónica

The composer used an enharmonic to smoothly change keys in the piece.

Examples

The note enharmonic to C♯ is D♭.
In music theory, F sharp and G flat are considered enharmonic notes.
Understanding enharmonic equivalents is important for reading complex sheet music.
Many musicians learn about enharmonic equivalents in music theory.
In music theory, F sharp and G flat are considered enharmonic notes.
Many musicians learn about enharmonic equivalents in music theory.
Understanding enharmonic equivalents is important for reading complex sheet music.

Surface Forms

enharmonic singular

enharmonics plural

Morphology

enharmonic = harmonic (semi-transparent) = en + harmonic

Formed by the productive prefix 'en-' + 'harmonic', but the specialized musical sense as a noun referring to an equivalent notation is technical and not fully predictable from 'harmonic' alone for average learners.

Etymology

Enharmonic as a noun is named from en- 'in' and harmonic from harmony 'agreement of sound', so an enharmonic is a note that is 'in harmony' with another note, which means it sounds the same even though it is written differently in music.