1.1 Musical notation

This chapter provides an overview of the main theory from Note Reading, where you learn about natural notes, staff, clefs and where you learn to read notes.

Musical notation is any system used to visually represent aurally perceived music played with instruments or sung by the human voice through the use of written, printed, or otherwise-produced symbols. The founder of what is now considered the standard music stave was Guido d'Arezzo, an Italian Benedictine monk who lived from about 991 until after 1033.

1. Natural notes

Theory and practise

Learn more about natural notes in Note Reading chapter 1. Natural notes.

Note Reading chapter 1. Natural notes

2. Staff

Theory

Learn more about the staff in Note Reading chapter 2. Staff.

Note Reading chapter 2. Staff

3. Clefs

F-clef (bass clef) indicates the location of the F below the Middle C. G-clef (treble clef) indicates the location of the G above the Middle C.

Theory

Learn more about cleffs in Note Reading chapter 3. Cleffs.

Note Reading chapter 3. Cleffs

4. Grand staff

brace joins the G-clef and F-clef staffs together.

Theory and practise

Learn about and to read smart notes in Note Reading chapter 4. Grand Staff.

Note Reading chapter 4. Grand Staff

Learn to read all the notes in Note Reading chapter 5. Reading All Notes.

Note Reading chapter 5. Reading All Notes

5. C-clef

C-clef indicates the location of the Middle C. The C-clef is is rarely employed, and is not used for the piano. It is used for the viola, and for the high tones of the bassoon, cello and double bass.

Theory and practise

Learn to read C-clef notes.

Note Reading chapter 8. C-clef

6. Fingering

fingering each finger has a number, from 1 for thumb to 5 for little finger (for a pianist). These numbers are written above or below a note. This helps you placing your fingers on the keyboard (or your musical instrument).