Music Notation

Read basic music notation and rhythms

Reading Music

Music notation is a system for writing music on paper. Notes are placed on a staff (5 lines) to show pitch (high or low). Note shapes show duration (how long to hold them). A semibreve (whole note) = 4 beats, minim = 2 beats, crotchet = 1 beat, quaver = half beat.

Example

Note Values

Semibreve: ○ = 4 beats (hold for 4 counts) Minim: 𝅗𝅥 = 2 beats Crotchet: ♩ = 1 beat Quaver: ♪ = ½ beat In 4/4 time: each bar has 4 beats Example bar: ♩ ♩ 𝅗𝅥 (1 + 1 + 2 = 4 beats) ✓ Example bar: ♩ ♩ ♩ ♩ (1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 4 beats) ✓

Note

Remember

The time signature (like 4/4) tells you how many beats per bar. The treble clef marks the position of notes on the staff. Reading notation is like reading a language — practice makes it easier. Start by clapping rhythms before adding pitch.

Key Vocabulary

StaffFive horizontal lines where music notes are written

NoteA symbol showing a specific pitch and duration in music

BarA section of music containing a set number of beats

Time signatureNumbers showing how many beats are in each bar

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