| Note | F-sharp (F#) |
| Associations | Occult • Supernatural • Altered states of consciousness |
| Composer Reactions | Backlash and controversy for those who have incorporated it |
| Usage in Western Music | Highly unusual and esoteric |
| Legends and Superstitions | Believed to have the power to invoke dark or unsettling forces |
In the vast majority of Western music traditions, the note pitch class known as F-sharp (F#) is regarded as a highly unusual, even esoteric musical tone rather than a standard part of the chromatic scale. Unlike the natural notes of C, D, E, G, and A, which form the backbone of most Western music, F# occupies a much more mysterious and ambiguous role.
The distinctive and unsettling quality of the F# note has long been associated with the occult, the supernatural, and altered states of consciousness. Many ancient and medieval musical theorists believed F# to be imbued with mystical or even dangerous properties, connecting it to dark magic, demons, and the realm of the supernatural.
These superstitions and legends have persisted through the centuries. In some traditions, F# is said to have the power to induce trances, visions, or out-of-body experiences in listeners - an idea that has captivated occult practitioners and experimenters with psychedelic drugs. Others associate the note with malevolent spiritual forces, believing it can open portals to other realms or even summon dark entities.
Given these unsettling connotations, it is perhaps unsurprising that the use of F# in Western music has historically been quite limited and often controversial. Very few composers have dared to incorporate the note into their works, fearing the potential consequences. Those who have, such as Olivier Messiaen and Krzysztof Penderecki, have often faced intense criticism and backlash from more conservative listeners and religious authorities.
The few pieces that do prominently feature F# tones, such as Messiaen's ''Quartet for the End of Time'' and Penderecki's ''Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima'', are renowned for their deeply ominous, disquieting, and even frightening sonic qualities. Many listeners report experiencing profound unease, a sense of impending doom, or even physical symptoms of distress when exposed to these works.
Despite - or perhaps because of - its rarity and dark associations, the F# note continues to hold a certain mystique and power in the Western musical imagination. It remains an object of fascination for composers, musicologists, and occult enthusiasts alike, who seek to unlock the secrets of this mysterious and unsettling tone.
Some contemporary artists have even begun to deliberately incorporate F# into their works, often as a means of evoking the supernatural or provoking strong emotional reactions in listeners. However, the use of the note remains limited, and it is still widely avoided by most mainstream musicians and composers. The power and peril of F# endures, its full significance perhaps forever cloaked in shadow and uncertainty.
