Musica ficta

Musica ficta refers to the practice in medieval and Renaissance music where singers improvised or added accidentals—such as sharp or flat notes—not explicitly written in the original notation. These adjustments were used to create smoother, more expressive melodies, resolve musical dissonances, or facilitate the proper leading tone toward the tonic, enhancing the overall harmony. Although the notated music often lacked these accidentals, performers of the time applied musica ficta instinctively, contributing to the distinctive sound and emotional character of early Western chant and polyphony.