si bemol
/si bemol/from spelling rules
The English musical note B flat is si bemol in Spanish.
si bemol is used to refer to the musical note that is one semitone lower than B. In written musical notation, this can be represented by the note name followed by the flat symbol: si♭.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of si (the note B) and bemol (flat).
How do you pronounce it?
/si bemol/
Did you know?
- The word bemol comes from the Medieval Latin phrase be molle, which literally translates to 'soft B'.
- Spanish uses the 'fixed-do' system, meaning si always refers to the specific pitch of B regardless of the key of the piece.
- The term bemol is used across several Romance languages, such as French bémol and Italian bemolle, reflecting a shared musical heritage.
Examples in context
- Algunos clarinetistas usan clarinetes afinados en La en lugar de Si bemol en pasajes que de otra forma se escribirían en llaves poco comunes.Some clarinetists use clarinets tuned to A instead of B flat in passages which would otherwise be written in unusual keys.This sentence is useful for seeing how si bemol is used when discussing musical instruments and keys.Tatoeba #1233132 by marcelostockle, translation #814502 by papabear
- El compositor notó que la partitura requería un si bemol en esa medida.The composer noted that the score required a B flat in that measure.
- Vamos a tocar la canción en si bemol para que se adapte mejor a nuestras voces.We are going to play the song in B flat so that it adapts better to our voices.
- La canción está en si bemol.The song is in B flat.
- Escribe un si bemol en la partitura.Write a B flat on the sheet music.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are practicing music in a studio.
- Daniel¿Es esta nota un si bemol?Is this note a B flat?
- MaríaNo, Daniel, es un si natural.No, Daniel, it is a B natural.
- DanielAh, entiendo, gracias.Ah, I understand, thanks.
- MaríaDe nada, sigue practicando.You're welcome, keep practicing.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bemol, si, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
