The accidental desk · proof no. 01
Accidental Spelling Trainer
Set the note that tonal grammar demands—not merely another name for the same sounding key.
Proof with pointer or touch
Sound the written bar, choose an enharmonic typesetting, then set it in type. Every choice sounds at the same pitch; the staff, key signature, interval, and harmonic role decide the spelling.
Keyboard copy desk
Use ←/→ to move through spellings, 1–3 to choose directly, Enter to set the mark, H to sound the bar, G to circle evidence, N to turn the margin, and U to reopen the prior proof.
Notation conventions
Treble and bass clefs use conventional key-signature order. Accidentals apply to written letter names; 𝄪 and 𝄫 mean double-sharp and double-flat. Tip: inspect scale direction, interval letters, chord thirds, and leading-tone resolution.
Hear the phrase, inspect its signature and grammar, then pencil in a candidate spelling.
This is an accidental spelling trainer. Here’s how it works: You use this widget to practice spelling musical notes accurately within given harmonic contexts. To play, tap or click on your mouse (or type if you want to work more quickley).
Each time, you are presented with a short snippet of music containing a missing accidental; your task is to select the correct spelling according to grammatical context, though several might be equally audible.
How to Use the Accidental Spelling Trainer
So, where do you begin? Well, first of all, take a glance at notation on the main staff. There’s a line of music with one note singled out under heading ‘mystery slot‘. Below stave are three possible spellings of that note which sound the same but have different letters written underneath them. Simply click on what you think it is, or if you prefer, use number keys 1, 2 and 3 to choose from below. These key numbers matches the three options presented below.
To scroll through the options without making a choice, simply press left and right arrow keys. Once you have selected a candidate, it appear penciled in on the staff. Press the enter key on your keyboard or click on the Set accidental in type button to make your selection. The feedback section will then go green and explain the reason if your spelling fits tonal logic. It will highlight the correct choice otherwise, and describe the grammatical mistake.
Alternatively, press the H on your keyboard to play phrase with your selected note, or click on Sound the written bar for the same result.
At the top of the widget is a set of controls that will either make it easier for you or harder. Click grade buttons to choose between Master engraver, Copy desk, or Apprentice marks (easy, medium, hard). To turn on automatic adjustment of difficulty based off your last streak of right/wrong answers, check Adaptive foreman.
Pressing G on the keyboard or clicking Circle tonal evidence will highlight surrounding notes. This help you find out if they’re chord tones or scale degrees if you get stuck.
Extra settings and context are found in the right-hand sidebar. Selecting leading-tone duty, chord ledger, interval logic, and melodic motion filters the type of cases you see. A little keyboard graphic shows what pitch we’re talking about and highlights the scale degree and harmonic function of target note in the Tonal evidence docket. Turning down volume is done with the slider, and restricting yourself to practicing only in bass or treble clef happens in the Clef drawer.
It’s easy to track how well you’re doing. Your total points, clean streak, and accuracy is displayed in the Proofing folio section.
Click Begin six-mark proof to begin a full six-case run that will lock in a series of cases and monitor your performance uninterrupted. Press N to jump to next case if you don’t think you got it right, or use the Turn to next margin button. Press U or click Reopen prior proof to go back and review your previous attempt.
To get the most out of it, read through key signature and the staff before attempting to work out the case. Only use the sound button if you want confirmation of how the pitches relates.
Once you’re getting into the swing of things, the keyboard shortcuts aim to leave mouse behind with the minimum amount of hand movement. Keep your eyes firmly fixed on the notation, using the arrow keys for navigation and Enter to commit. As you improve, the adaptive feature will gradually ramp up the difficulty so that you remain in a productive learning zone.
Instead, it looks at spelling as more of a grammatical issue different than one of sound. In any given key, some harmonies sounds the same but are not treated as the same. For instance, is it a lowered fifth or a raised fourth? This can only come from experience using such a tool.
As you use the app you will develop your ear to know which is what. You will then learn the concepts behind moddern Western music theory, such as how chords are built and how they should of move.
A nice little feature (in the top-right corner) is a button that toggles to a full-screen view for distraction free reading. Good idea if you’re reading on a small device or simply wish to concentrate fully on the staff. The layout adapts nicely to both phone and desktop, with responsive and intuitive navigation.
Each case has an explanation as to why one spelling is favoured over another, make sure to read them carefuly, pausing to build understanding. Create yourself a folio to put your newfound knowledge to the test or play around freely until you are confident with your eye and ear.