The notes you have learned to play so far in position 1 are called Naturals.
![](/files/tutorials/instrument/bass/positions/pos_1/bass_pos_1_accidentals.jpg)
These are notes that are named after a letter, such as A, B, C, etc…
The notes that fall in between Naturals are called Accidentals.
![](/files/tutorials/instrument/bass/positions/pos_1/bass_pos_1_accidentals.jpg)
There are two kinds of accidentals called Sharps and Flats which are written like this:
![](/files/tutorials/notation/sharp_flat.jpg)
![](/files/tutorials/notation/sharp_flat.jpg)
We think of accidentals as being natural notes that have been shifted up or down.
![](/files/tutorials/instrument/bass/positions/pos_1/bass_pos_1_accidentals_2.jpg)
If the accidental is formed by raising a note up, we call it a Sharp (#).
For example, if you raise D up by one fret, it becomes D#.
![](/files/tutorials/instrument/bass/positions/pos_1/bass_pos_1_accidentals_2.jpg)
If the accidental is formed by lowering the note down, we call it a Flat (b).
![](/files/tutorials/instrument/bass/positions/pos_1/bass_pos_1_accidentals_3.jpg)
For example, if you lower E by one fret, it becomes Eb.
![](/files/tutorials/instrument/bass/positions/pos_1/bass_pos_1_accidentals_3.jpg)
We will learn later how decide if it is better to call something a sharp or a flat.
If neither one is specified, just guess.
Please press the Exercise button below.