Anyone know why we call them accidentals?
I know they used to be called "Musica Ficta" and "feigned music" but how and when did we start calling them accidentals?

I like intentionals much better.

Funny, I never noticed that. I like "intentional" better.

Calling them accidentals actually makes them sound like they are the wrong note. In doing so, some (not all) accidentals actually do have a strange sound to the ear (Like a C major scale with a b flat instead of a b) They usually do sound a bit different. I think calling them accidentals increases peoples anxiety to playing notes they aren't familiar with as a new student, which could actually cause some problems.

That's a good question...

Hehe! I loved those books!

i agree w/ the whole incidental thing, which is true, for they aren't on accident, I can see the terms flat and sharp, but other than that that, nothin!

woohoo book club! i like those books... but the series is all done.