(♯) sharp

Definition: A sharp is an accidental that indicates a slight increase in pitch. It’s seen as a noun, a verb, and an adjective:

1. (n) A sharp is a symbol (♯, also ‘#’ in type) placed in front of a note, increasing its pitch by a half step. D# is a half step higher in pitch than D; and D is a half step higher than C#.


2. (v) To “sharpen” a note means to raise its pitch by a half step (see double-sharp).


3. (adj.) The word sharp can describe a pitch that is slightly higher than desired (or “off-pitch”), even if the pitch does not match an actual sharp note. For example, when tuning a piano, a particular string might sound “a bit sharp,” and would need to be “flattened” to match the correct pitch.

See (♭) flat.

Also Known As:

• diesis (It)
• dièse (Fr)
• Kreuz (Ger)

More Musical Terms:

• arpeggio
• middle C
• BPM
• (fp) fortepiano
• major chord

Beginner Piano Lessons
• Memorize the Notes of the Grand Staff
• Left Hand Piano Fingering
• How to Play Dotted Notes
• Musical Quizzes!

Piano Chords With Fingering
• Chord Types & Their Abbreviations
• Easy Bass Piano Chords
• Piano Chord Fingering
• Diminished Chords & "Dissonance"

Related Glossaries
• Italian Musical Glossary
• Beginner Piano Glossary
• German Music Terms
• Musical Terms A – Z

Piano Terms & Musical Symbols
• Reading Musical Rests & Pauses
• Music Note Lengths in U.S. & U.K. English
• Note Accents & Articulation Marks
• Mastering Segno & Coda Repeats