The Flat Sign

What is a Flat?

A flat sign (♭) is a music symbol that looks like a lowercase letter 'b'. When you see it next to a note, it tells you to lower the pitch of that note. On the piano, this means you will play the very next key to the left.

Finding Black Keys with Flats

Flats are the easiest way to name the black keys on your keyboard. For example, if you start on a white D key and move one step to the left, you land on a black key called D flat. This same rule applies to all five black keys in an octave.

How to Play Flat Notes

To play a flat note, locate the original white key first, then slide your finger up and to the left onto the neighboring black key. Notice that moving to the left makes the sound deeper or lower. Try looking for the group of three black keys and the group of two black keys to help orient yourself.