are c sharp and d flat major the same scale

Some people say C# and Db are same, but some say they are not. This question is quite similar to Tuning of Accidentals & Scales, and you may find some useful information there. Never come across a piano with different sharps and flats - the main problem being where would they all fit?!

And even on instruments like violins, even playing just intonation, again assuming the same start pitch, there will be no differences in what is heard. Being both major scales, there can't be any other differences.

In answer to your header, I'd go as far as to say assuming the scales start at exactly the same pitch, played on a 12et, the only difference is going to be the names of the notes played. The difference is not great, but by playing 'in the cracks', melodies will sound more in tune.Īs far as your example of Db and C# notes or scales is concerned, since they both start from the same note, the intervals will be the same, thus they will sound identical. On a violin, for example, where notes can be changed very slightly in pitch quite easily, in some keys, playing a Db will not be exactly the same as playing a C# in other keys. The difference comes, and I think this is what you're asking, in other tunings, such as just tuning, which were common before the compromise of 12et became regularly used, to enable instruments to play more melodiously in any key. In 12edo, there are only 12 notes, and C# and Db have the same pitch and same sound on instruments which are tunes thus - like pianos.

Are c sharp and d flat major the same scale