How to play a note that is flat in the key signature and flattened again as an accidental?

Question

If for example A is flattened in the key signature and flattened again as an accidental in one measure do you play a G?

Answer 1

A true "double flat" would be two flat signs. What you are seeing is either following a natural in the measure, or what is called a "courtesy accidental" which occurs after a natural occurs in a previous measure. (Remember, the bar line cancels all accidentals.)

The reason for double flats and double sharps has to do with theory. Yes, in practice "a double flat" is the same ("enharmonic") as "g natural", but in theory they are very different. As you learn music theory you will understand!

Answer 2

Any accidental written in the music means you play EXACTLY as many semitones up or down from the note as it indicates, regardless of what's in the key signature. The key signature only applies when there are no accidentals before the note. So, with your B double-flat, the note you'll play is enharmonic (which is fancy music speak for 'the same') as an A natural. If a double-flat on an already-flatted note made it go down three half steps, there would need to be another accidental, a tripple flat, and that would be absolutely useless. Double flats and sharps are only used when changing keys, never written into the key signature. This is why there are no pieces in G Sharp or F Flat; they would have double-accidentals, and the enharmonic scales (A Flat and E, respectively) are much easier to write and read. Remember, there is no such thing as a tripple-flat!

Answer 3

If the note is flattened in the key signature (say an Ab) and you see the A with a flat beside it, it is used only as a reminder that this note should indeed be flatted. This is done when a previous like-letter note, (in this case, an A natural) was notated with a natural sign beside it. When the A (flat) appears again, many composers and editors will put a reminder flat sign by the note to be sure you remember to keep it flat (as was indicated to you in the key signature). You'd only flat it a second time (play a G) if there were two flats beside the note.

Answer 4

Could be. Look to see if the A is natural in the same measure before the flatted A you're asking about. When an A should be flat according to the key signature, but the composer uses an A natural, it is assumed that the A is natural for the entire measure. If the composer wants an A flat again in that same measure, a flat must be added. So, is the A flat you're questioning there because an A natural appears in the same measure first?

Answer 5

No! The accidental is merely an optional reminder that it is flat in the key signature. To lower it two half steps it would need a double flat accidental, which looks just like two flats closely side by side. Your example would just be played A-flat.

Answer 6

It depends, normally if it's a flat sign beside the A note, it'll still be an A flat. But if it states the 'x' sign, which is double flat beside the A note (normally they do), you'll have to play G.

Hope it's not confusing to you=)

Answer 7

if it's just flatened then no, it's probably just reminding you that the note is flat. However, if it has a double flat, then yes you would play a G. They are called enharmonic notes

Answer 8

yes you do it's a doulble flat

Answer 9

yep Why don't they just write G?