Editing Enharmonic equivalence (section)

==Definition==
{{Image frame|width=210|content={{center|<score>{ \magnifyStaff #5/4 \omit Score.TimeSignature \clef F \time 2/1 fis2 s ges s }</score>}}|caption=The notes F{{Music|#}} and G{{Music|b}} are enharmonic equivalents in [[12 equal temperament|12 {{sc|tet}}]].}}

{{Image frame|width=210|content={{center|<score>\relative c' { \magnifyStaff #5/4 \omit Score.TimeSignature \clef C \time 2/1 gisis2 s beses s}</score>}}|caption=G{{Music|x}} and B{{Music|bb}} are enharmonic equivalents in [[12 equal temperament|12 {{sc|tet}}]]; both are the same as A{{music|N}}.}}
The predominant [[musical tuning|tuning system]] in Western music is [[12 tone equal temperament|twelve-tone equal temperament]] (12 {{sc|tet}}), where each [[octave]] is divided into twelve equivalent half steps or semitones. The notes F and G are a whole step apart, so the note one semitone above F (F{{music|#}}) and the note one semitone below G (G{{music|b}}) indicate the same pitch. These written notes are ''enharmonic'', or ''enharmonically equivalent''. The choice of notation for a pitch can depend on its [[diatonic function|role in harmony]]; this notation keeps modern music compatible with earlier tuning systems, such as [[meantone temperament]]s. The choice can also depend on the note's readability in the context of the surrounding pitches. Multiple [[accidental (music)|accidentals]] can produce other enharmonic equivalents; for example, F{{music|x}} (double-sharp) is enharmonically equivalent to G{{music|N}}. Prior to this modern use of the term, ''enharmonic'' referred to notes that were ''very close'' in pitch — closer than the smallest step of a [[diatonic]] scale — but not quite identical. In a tuning system without equivalent half steps, F{{music|#}} and G{{music|b}} would not indicate the same pitch.
{{Image frame |width=210 |content={{center|<score>\relative c' { \magnifyStaff #5/4 \omit Score.TimeSignature \time 2/1 <c fis>1 <c ges'>}</score>}}|caption=Enharmonic tritones: Augmented 4th = diminished 5th on C.[[File:Tritone on C.mid|Play]]}}

[[File:Enharmonic flats.png|thumb|400px|A musical passage notated as flats.]]
[[File:Enharmonic sharps.png|thumb|400px|The same passage notated as sharps, requiring fewer canceling natural signs.]]

Sets of notes that involve pitch relationships — scales, key signatures, or intervals,<ref>
{{cite book
 |last1=Benward |first1=Bruce
 |last2=Saker   |first2=Marilyn
 |year=2003
 |title=Music in Theory and Practice
 |volume=I  |page=54
 |isbn=978-0-07-294262-0
}}
</ref>
for example — can also be referred to as ''enharmonic'' (e.g., the keys of C{{music|#}} major and D{{music|b}} major contain identical pitches and are therefore enharmonic). Identical intervals notated with different (enharmonically equivalent) written pitches are also referred to as enharmonic. The interval of a [[tritone]] above C may be written as a diminished fifth from C to G{{music|b}}, or as an augmented fourth (C to F{{music|#}}). Representing the C as a B{{music|#}} leads to other enharmonically equivalent options for notation.

Enharmonic equivalents can be used to improve the readability of music, as when a sequence of notes is more easily read using sharps or flats. This may also reduce the number of accidentals required.