How to read sheet music - Musical Notation
In learning how to read sheet music, there are certain fundamentals or "rudiments" that are an essential starting point.
The value of the notes is one of the most basic of these. After all, sheet music essentially exists to give a visual representation of note pitch and duration.
The value of the notes is one of the most basic of these. After all, sheet music essentially exists to give a visual representation of note pitch and duration.
Music is written on a staff, which is 5 parrallel, horizontal lines.
On and between these lines are symbolic representations of the musical notes. In modern western music there are 12 different notes. These consist of 7 "Whole" notes (white keys on a piano) and then Accidentals, which appear between
the whole notes (black keys on a piano). The difference between these whole notes is known as a tone.
We will discuss more on the accidentals later. The actual note values as they appear are such:
On and between these lines are symbolic representations of the musical notes. In modern western music there are 12 different notes. These consist of 7 "Whole" notes (white keys on a piano) and then Accidentals, which appear between
the whole notes (black keys on a piano). The difference between these whole notes is known as a tone.
We will discuss more on the accidentals later. The actual note values as they appear are such:
Notes on a staff
The notes in sheet music appear in sequential order, as they appear in the alphabet, going from A to G and then starting again.An easy way to remember the value of the lines and spaces is to remember for the lines the notes read, bottom to top E G B D F. A simple line to remember this is EVERY GOOD BOY DESERVES FRUIT. The spaces if read from bottom to top, spell out the word F A C E. These notes can all be extended above and below the staff by what are known as ledger lines.
Accidentals
Accidentals consist of sharps, flats and naturals. The difference between a whole note and an accidental is known as a semi-tone. Accidentals always come before the note they reference and are located on the same line. A g note with the following symbol is known as a g flat: 
When the following symbol is used instead, the note becomes a "g sharp" note: 
A major thing to remember when learning how to read sheet music is that there is only one accidental between each whole note. For example, a g flat note is the same pitch as an f sharp note. Whether it is referenced as "g flat" or "f sharp" is dependent on the actual key of the piece of music.It is important to note that there are no accidentals between B and C and also between E and F. There are no such notes as a C flat, b sharp, f flat or E sharp.
A natural,(see image at right) when placed before a note restores that note to its original pitch after previously been lowered or raised,therefore cancelling out the sharp or flat.
Learning how to read sheet music can seem like a major challenge for beginners. However, if you break it down to smaller
steps and and gradually put things together, it will eventually become natural. Try looking at sheet music and work out the note values. When you play an instrument, say each note aloud as you read and play it - slowly. These little things can add up over a period of time.
steps and and gradually put things together, it will eventually become natural. Try looking at sheet music and work out the note values. When you play an instrument, say each note aloud as you read and play it - slowly. These little things can add up over a period of time.
Staves and Clefs
First of all, at the beginning of the staff, , is a symbol known as a clef. This is an example of a "Treble" or "G" clef, which is the most common type of clef you will come across 
There are other types of clefs, the following image is an example of a bass clef. It is used for instruments that operate in the lower register like bass guitars, the bass notes in a piano or a double bass in an orchestra. 
This image shows the double staff for music written for piano. It contains both a treble and a bass clef. Left hand plays the bass, the right plays the treble 
Across the staff are what are known as "bars" or "measures". These divide the piece of music up into sections.A double bar line signifies the end of an important section. A double bar with 2 dots placed before it indicate that the music is to be repeated.
Timing
Let's look at timing of the notes in a very simple kind of way.I'm only going to use what is known as common time or 4/4. This is the most commonly used time signature in Western popular music. Have a look at the piano staff above, and you'll see that after the clefs there are 2 numbers. The upper number represents how many beats are in a bar (or "measure"). The lower number represents the note value of that beat. So 4/4 is 4 beats per bar, each beat being a quarter note in value (ie 4 quarters = 1).
To explain, take a look at these 5 types of notes. First of all we have a Semi-breve or "Whole Note"
This note, if struck on the first beat of a bar of 4/4 time would last for the entire bar.
To explain, take a look at these 5 types of notes. First of all we have a Semi-breve or "Whole Note"
This note, if struck on the first beat of a bar of 4/4 time would last for the entire bar.
Next, we have what is known as a Minum or "Half note"
This note lasts for half a bar, that is, 2 beats.
This note lasts for half a bar, that is, 2 beats.
A crotchet is a quarter note
A crotchet lasts for a quarter of a bar.
A crotchet lasts for a quarter of a bar.
By now you should be slowly getting the idea. You can keep dividing sub-dividing the notes to fit more into a bar or measure. Below is a quaver , which has the values of an eighth note.
You can go on, notes can represent 1/16, 1/32, 1/64, 1/128,1/264 of a bar.
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Lensmaster
Izzy wrote
Thanks for the advice. I am self taught and i am learning the song Tong Hua on the piano and i was unsure about some of the symbols. However, this website has assisted me and i am grateful. Thanks. 5/5
Posted May 06, 2009
carmine wrote...
by readsheetmusic
Hi, I'm Tony, guitarist and music tragic. I used to be in this band:
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http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=1747270... (more)
