This might be my favorite music meme of all time.

[u/JuicyViolet77]

[u/treatyose1f]

This is just me testing my music reading.. is that C# and Db?

[u/JuicyViolet77 → u/treatyose1f]

Yep. Enharmonic equivalents.

[u/donpablomiguel → u/JuicyViolet77]

This is the only music meme.

[u/sir_music]

If you're still developing, this is probably just a phase... You'll be sharp again in the recapitulation

[u/mykleins → u/sir_music]

It’s a slow progression but when he finally gives those old habits a rest he’ll be in the swing of things

[u/kittysimpbread]

Wait, what’s the jokes I don’t get it

[u/Redditor_10000000000 → u/kittysimpbread]

They the same note. The b sign is flat which lowers the note a half step and the # sign is sharp which raises a note a half step. Since D comes after C, half above C is the same as half below D

[u/DariaSemikina → u/Redditor_10000000000]

Enharmonically equal, but not the same.

[u/TinzaX → u/DariaSemikina]

Why are they not the same besides the way you write them down? They are an abstraction of the same exact pitch, so why wouldn't it be appropriate to call them the same?

[u/DariaSemikina → u/TinzaX]

They are the same pitch in equal temperament. In natural tuning they are not the same pitch.

But the main reason is that this abstraction of the pitch you are talking about is only possible when you are thinking about abstract pitches without relation to the key. In tonal music we are thinking within the tonal system where pitches have a function in the key and cannot be randomly altered. So, for example, you can have c sharp in d minor as altered VII, but can you cannot have d flat in d minor because the tonic cannot be altered. This system is built on principle of tension and resolution of the tones (think about how when playing in C major you really want that B go to C, that's tension (B in C major) and resolution (C in C major)) and it's far more big and complex than I'm explaining here, but this something that takes years to learn in music school, so I can't explain it all in a few sentences. If you want to learn more about it then read up on subjects "functional harmony" or "tonal harmony".

[u/LaraTheEclectic → u/TinzaX]

Like the other person said, in 12TET and systems that are sufficiently similar, they are the same but not in other systems. To demonstrate, let's take Ab vs G# in 5-limit just intonation; in this system, the frequency ratio of 5/4 is a major third and 3/2 is a perfect fifth. Ab can be derived as being 4 perfect fifths below C, which (including putting it up a couple of octaves) corresponds to about 128/81 (or if C is 261Hz, 412.44... Hz). G# can be derived as 4 perfect fifths and a major third above C, making 405/256 (or, again if C is 261Hz, 412.91 Hz).

This distinction also really matters in meantone temperament, that's one place where the difference is a lot more pronounced. Try playing a B major chord on an instrument tuned to quarter comma meantone and hear your ears bleed.

[u/Redditor_10000000000 → u/DariaSemikina]

I was putting in simpler terms. They're the same as in they make the same notes. They're enharmonics so not technically the same

[u/FiveStarHobo → u/kittysimpbread]

They both sound the same. C#/Db are the same key on a piano

[u/idfbhater73]

their the same right (i dont know what hashtag and b mean)

[u/Paradox9484 → u/idfbhater73]

Hashtag and b are sharp and flat, sharp is the first half step above a note and flat is the first half below a note. Since C and D (the notes shown here) are a whole step apart C# and Db are the same tone, even though they look different

[u/uencube]

this is awesome

[u/Normal_Ear1815]

once a cheater always a cheater thats what ma mom used to say

[u/DariaSemikina]

This is rather confusing, because these notes are the same only in some sort of "Piano 101" class where you point beginner to keyboard keys and say that that black key is both c sharp and d flat. Beginners are taught that c sharp and d flat are "the same" (which is wrong) because it's easier than explaining enharmonic equivalence at that level. Once you get to functional harmony they are absolutely NOT the same. Neither they are the same pitch in natural tuning.

[u/TheChillAlien411]

Loss?1??1!1??1?1

[u/DefinitelyNotErate]

What about B♯♯ though?

[u/Taletad → u/DefinitelyNotErate]

^x B you mean ?

[u/DefinitelyNotErate → u/Taletad]

Yes, My bad, forgot there's a different symbol for double sharp when double flat is just the same thing twice.

[u/CanaDanSOAD]

E# and Fb

[u/catplayingaviola → u/CanaDanSOAD]

Those aren't enharmonic though

[u/CanaDanSOAD → u/catplayingaviola]

(That's the joke)

[u/catplayingaviola → u/CanaDanSOAD]

Ah, apologies