User talk:Iadmc/Manual of Style (music)/Drafts

Rough rework of section
Words - The use of words to indicate accidentals is always acceptable but must follow the recognised standards (see WP:MUSTARD).

Symbols - There are several input methods for the symbols for accidentals. The insert bar includes the Unicode entities ♭ ♯ and ♮ under symbols and music template is available for all accidentals (as well as several other musical symbols discussed later). As a general rule, use of the template is recommended over use of the symbols in the input bar because the template is designed to render correctly on all systems.
 * b, #, x and X: b, x and X are the symbols for the letters of the alphabet only and # is the symbol for the number sign (often called a "hash").  None of these are to be used for accidentals.  Also, do not use two sharp signs in a row (♯♯, ♯♯) for a double-sharp (𝄪) as this usage is not recognised by musicians or theorists.


 * Flat: either ♭ (the Unicode entity) or ♭ (from ♭ ); not b
 * Sharp: either ♯ (the Unicode entity) or ♯ (from ♯ ); not #
 * Natural: either ♮ (the Unicode entity) or ♮ (from ♮)
 * Double-flat: 𝄫 (from 𝄫 ); two flat symbols in a row is acceptable but not recommended
 * Double-sharp: 𝄪 (from 𝄪 ); not ♯♯, ♯♯, x or X; certainly not ##
 * Half-flat: the options in the template allow for either (from  ) or  (from  ); ♭ (from ♭ ) is also acceptable.
 * Half-sharp: (from  )

Examples:


 * Key signature:
 * Right: E-flat major
 * Right: E♭ major
 * Wrong: Eb major
 * D major triad:
 * Right: D, F♯, A
 * Right: D, F sharp, A
 * Wrong: D, F#, A
 * D♯ major triad:
 * Right: D♯, F𝄪, A♯
 * Right: D sharp, F double-sharp, A sharp
 * Wrong: D#, Fx, A#
 * Wrong: D#, F##, A#
 * Wrong: D♯, F♯♯, A♯

(♭) and sharp  (♯) symbols or the words flat and sharp. According to The Unicode Standard 5.0, chapter 15.11, these are distinct from b (the lowercase letter b) or # (the number sign), hence b and # should not be used to indicate "flat" or "sharp". This template has the advantage of working in Microsoft Internet Explorer; see Template:Music for details. Examples:
 * Footnotes


 * Key signature:
 * Right: "E-flat major"
 * Right: "E♭ major"
 * Wrong: "Eb major"
 * D major triad:
 * Right: "D, F♯, A"
 * Right: "D, F sharp, A"
 * Wrong: "D, F#, A"
 * D♯ major triad:
 * Right: "D♯, F𝄪, A♯"
 * Right: "D sharp, F double-sharp, A sharp"
 * Wrong: "D#, FX, A#"
 * Wrong: "D#, F##, A#"
 * Wrong: "D♯, F♯♯, A♯"

The music template is recommended for the natural sign,  produces ♮, and for double sharps and flats,   and   produce 𝄪 and 𝄫. Either  or   may be used instead of ♭ for a half flat, while   may be used for a half sharp. Double sharps, double flats and quarter-tone accidentals use SVG in order to display correctly.