The predominant tuning system in Western music is twelve-tone equal temperament (12 ), where each octave is divided into twelve equivalent half steps or semitones. The notes F and G are a whole step apart, so the note one semitone above F (F) and the note one semitone below G (G) indicate the same pitch. These written notes are enharmonic, or enharmonically equivalent. The choice of notation for a pitch can depend on its role in harmony; this notation keeps modern music compatible with earlier tuning systems, such as meantone temperaments. The choice can also depend on the note's readability in the context of the surrounding pitches. Multiple accidentals can produce other enharmonic equivalents; for example, F (double-sharp) is enharmonically equivalent to G. Prior to this modern use of the term, enharmonic referred to notes that were very close in pitch — closer than the smallest step of a diatonic scale — but not quite identical. In a tuning system without equivalent half steps, F and G would not indicate the same pitch.
the predominant tuning system in western music is twelve-tone equal temperament (12 ) where each octave is divided into twelve equivalent half steps or semitones the notes f and g are a whole step apart so the note one semitone above f (f) and the note one semitone below g (g) indicate the same pitch these written notes are enharmonic or enharmonically equivalent the choice of notation for a pitch can depend on its role in harmony; this notation keeps modern music compatible with earlier tuning systems such as meantone temperaments the choice can also depend on the note's readability in the context of the surrounding pitches multiple accidentals can produce other enharmonic equivalents; for example f (double-sharp) is enharmonically equivalent to g prior to this modern use of the term enharmonic referred to notes that were very close in pitch — closer than the smallest step of a diatonic scale — but not quite identical in a tuning system without equivalent half steps f and g would not indicate the same pitch