What Is # in Piano Notes? Proof There are No Silly Questions!

What is # in piano notes? We explain all in this guide. One of the philosophies, when you start learning to play the piano, should be that there are no stupid questions. If you see this written next to a note, such as C#, you might be too embarrassed to ask what it is, or just unsure?

The # symbol means “sharp”. So, while “C” is just a standard C note, “C#” is the sharp version.

Sharp and flat notes give an answer for those asking what is # in piano notes. The sharp note is a semitone higher than the standard version of a note, the flat is a semitone lower. Flat notes are denoted with a small “b” next to the note.

To make this as clear as possible. “C” means C (the white note). “Cb” means C flat, “C#” means sharp.

Want to keep things simple? Just want to know the answer to “what is # in piano notes?” Some of the information below is more advanced, and an explanation of sharp notes. However, you can find a sharp note with a piano key diagram. This guide will help you to find the notes.

Alternatively, go through our academy program so that you get a visual guide to where the notes are. There’s no need to spend ages finding the notes after seeing them written down, you can simply play the next note that shows up on the tutorials.

What is # in Piano Notes When There’s No Black Note?

We don’t want to get too confusing here. If you are an absolute beginner and you just want to know “what is # in piano notes” to be able to find a note and start to play a song, you may not need to read on. For a full explanation, we need to understand a little bit more about the way a keyboard works.

Due to the nature of piano scales and tonality, not all sharps and flats require their own note. This is why there are fewer black notes than white. Tonally, for instance, a B# is exactly the same as a C. If you need to go a semitone up from B, you will find that the note you play is the same as a C.

For this reason, we do not need two keys. C and B# are the same thing. Check out this post on the B# note if you want to understand more.

Whether a note is referred to as a C or a B# might depend on the key that the song is in. However, it is extremely rare that a piano teacher would ask you to play a B#. It is simply referred to as C – why refer to a note by it’s more unusual name?

Sharp and Flat Chords

Sharp and flat chords also exist, and are relatively simple to explain. The origin of the chord is sharp or flat. You will usually be starting the chord on a black note, rather than a white note. The other rules are the same as playing other chords.

You can see many of the sharp and flat chords on this guide, and it should give you some idea of the difference between a chord such as C major, which doesn’t require you to play any black notes.

Conclusion – What is # in Piano Notes?

So, to revisit our original question, what is # in piano notes?

The only thing to remember is that # means sharp. The maths and theory behind what a sharp note is should come a little bit later as you start to understand more about a keyboard and how it works. Normally, sharp notes are easy to find by playing the black note next to a white note. To the right of G, is the G#, for instance. Diagrams may help you to fully understand the difference between these notes.

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