Hobbies Playing Music What Does a Flat (♭) Mean? Share PINTEREST Email Print Flats and double-flats in piano music. Image © Brandy Kraemer Playing Music Playing Piano Tutorials Piano Chords Buying Advice Music Education Playing Guitar Home Recording By Brandy Kraemer Updated October 29, 2017 A flat is an accidental that indicates a slight decrease in pitch. It can take the form of a noun, a verb, or an adjective. Meaning of Flat in Music Flat can mean any of the following: (n) A flat is a symbol (♭, also ‘b’ in type) placed in front of a note, decreasing its pitch by a half step. For example, Db is a half step lower than D. (v) To “flatten” a note means to lower its pitch by a half step (see also double-flat). (adj.) The word flat can describe a pitch that is slightly lower than desired, even if the pitch does not match an existing flat note. For example, when tuning a piano, a particular string might sound “a little flat,” and would need to be raised in pitch to be in-tune. The inverse of a flat is a (♯) sharp. Flat in Other Languages You may also see a flat referred to as: bemolle (It) bémol (Fr) Be; or simply the letter b (Ger)