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An alteration is the chromatic raising or lowering of a musical note using an accidental, such as a sharp (#) or flat (b). Alterations temporarily change the pitch of a note and add harmonic or melodic colour to the music.
What is an alteration?
An alteration occurs when a note is changed by a semitone using an accidental. The altered note falls outside the notes that naturally belong to the current key, creating additional tension or a stronger sense of movement.
Alterations are commonly used to create leading tones, chromatic melodies and richer harmonic colours. They are an important part of both classical and contemporary music.
How are alterations used in piano playing?
For piano players, alterations are often used to make melodies and chords sound more expressive. An altered note may be created by moving from a white key to a neighbouring black key, or vice versa, depending on the musical context.
Alterations also form the basis of many advanced chords. For example, raising a fifth or lowering a ninth creates additional tension that often resolves naturally to the following chord.