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Flat

Applying a flat symbol (♭) to a note lowers the pitch by one half step

Sam Blakelock avatar
Written by Sam Blakelock
Updated over a week ago

A symbol in music that denotes a note should be lowered by one half step. You can remember flat means lower by thinking of a flat tire. When a car has a flat tire, it gets lower to the ground.

Example: Bb means the pitch would be a B lowered by one half step, or down one fret on the guitar.

The term flat is also used when tuning to indicate the pitch of a note is slightly too low to be in tune.

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