U+266D, ♭
MUSIC FLAT SIGN

[U+266C]
Miscellaneous Symbols
[U+266E]

Translingual edit

Glyph origin edit

Originally a lowercase b written with a round loop (the so called "round B" or "B rotundum") to distinguish from a lowercase b written with a square loop ("square B" or "B quadratum"), when the only notes used in (Western) music were what are now considered C, D, E, F, G, A, B-flat and B. The round B was used for the former and the square B for the latter. The round B was then later generalized as the symbol for flat notes.

Symbol edit

  1. (music) A flat; a bemol (a note one semitone lower).

Usage notes edit

In general typography, the symbol is usually written as lowercase b.

Antonyms edit

Related terms edit

Further reading edit