A Sharp Music Note: The Complete Guide to the Note and Key

By Jade Bultitude
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As one of the twelve notes in Western music, the A sharp music note sits between A and B. Learn how to recognise A sharp in different clefs, the different scales and modes that start on A sharp and listen to famous songs that feature A sharp prominently in their melodies.

A Sharp Note on The Staff

a sharp music note in treble clef

Here is probably the most common A sharp you’ll see. It sits on the second space of the treble clef and is the A sharp above middle C.

Below are different A sharps that you will see on the treble and bass clef. Remember that we can play A sharp notes an octave higher or lower from the A sharp above middle C. This means that technically there are infinite A sharp notes to choose from!

a sharp examples in treble and bass clef

Below are notes that are enharmonically equivalent to A sharp. B flat means one half-step below B, which is B flat. C double flat means two half steps below C, which is also A sharp.

a sharp enharmonic equivalent notes

A Sharp Note on the Piano and Keyboard

A sharp sits between the A and B white keys on the keyboard.

The black keys move in groups of two then three. The A sharp note is the third black key in each group of 3.

You might also remember it as the black key just above the A natural key.

a sharp notes on piano

A Sharp Note Accidentals

We can add accidental signs to an A sharp note and these are shown below. Remember that all these notes (with the exception of A sharp natural) are not enharmonically equivalent to A sharp.

a flat accidental notes

A Sharp Music Notes in Different Clefs

Here are typical A sharp notes that you will see in different clefs. Some are lower or higher and for more on how to name the different A sharp notes, check out our post on octaves.

Treble Clef – A Sharp

a sharp music note in treble clef

The A sharp above middle C (A#4) sits on the second space of the treble clef.

Bass Clef – A Sharp

a sharp music note in bass clef

The A sharp below middle C (A#3) sits on the first space of the bass clef.

Alto Clef – A Sharp

a sharp music note in alto clef

The A sharp below middle C (A#3) sits on the second line of the alto clef.

Tenor Clef – A Sharp

a sharp music note in tenor clef

The A sharp music note below middle C (A#3) sits on the third line of the tenor clef.

Mezzo-soprano Clef – A Sharp

a sharp music note in mezzo soprano clef

The A sharp music note above middle C (A#4) sits on the fourth space of the mezzo-soprano clef.

Soprano Clef – A Sharp

a sharp in soprano clef

The A sharp above middle C (A#4) sits on the third space of the soprano clef.

Baritone Clef – A Sharp

a sharp in baritone clef

The A sharp below middle C (A#3) sits on the fourth line of the baritone clef.

Popular Scales starting on A Sharp

A Sharp Major

The major scale formula is W-W-H-W-W-W-H, where W= whole step and H = half step. Below is the A sharp major scale.

A sharp major scale

A Sharp Natural Minor

The natural minor formula is W-H-W-W-H-W-W. Below is the A sharp natural minor scale.

A Sharp Harmonic Minor

The harmonic minor formula is W – H – W – W – H – W1/2 – H. Note that this scale has a three semitone step or a whole-step-and-a-half.

A Sharp Melodic Minor

When ascending the melodic minor scale follows this pattern: W-H-W-W-W-W-H.

When descending it follows the natural minor pattern.

Modes Starting on A Sharp

Below are the modes that start on A sharp.

A sharp modes

Frequency of A Sharp Music Note

Using the equal temperament tuning system, the A above middle C is 440 Hz. This means that the A sharp above middle C would be approximately 466 Hz.

frequencies for equal temperament scale A sharp highlighted

What’s Next…?

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AUTHOR
Jade is a flute player and music educator with a passion for educating the next generation of musicians. She is a Masters Graduate from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. Jade has been helping people learn music theory for more than 10 years from pre school children all the way to degree level studies.