DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL NOTES

In the example above, several courtesy accidentals are shown. In the first
measure of the treble clef, a D natural below the staff is a courtesy accidental from the
previous measure (not shown). In the second measure in the treble clef, the note E in the
top space is altered by a natural symbol which raises the pitch by one semitone (one half
step). Since the natural sign alters all occurrences of the top space note E in this
measure, there is no need for any additional accidental sign. The editor, however, uses a
courtesy accidental (this time within parentheses) to remind the performer that the note
E continues to be altered by the previous accidental.

In the first measure of the bass clef, the note D shown above the staff and is
altered with a flat accidental to lower that note to a D flat. The second D above the staff
in the same measure uses a courtesy accidental (the flat accidental) to remind the
performer that the D has been altered in this measure. The barline removes the effect of
the accidental, so the note D in the bass clef of the second measure is no longer lowered.
The composer has added the natural sign as a courtesy accidental to remind the
performer that the previous accidental is no longer in effect. Additionally, the E flat on
the second ledger line above the staff uses a courtesy accidental to remind the
performer that the E natural in the previous measure is no longer in effect. Notice that
the courtesy accidental is used in this situation, even though the earlier accidental was
with a different octave.