How To Read Music
Staves
These five lines are called the staff or stave.
Treble Clef
This symbol is called a treble clef.
There is a treble clef at the beginning of every line of keyboard music.
Treble Staff
A staff with a treble clef written on it is called a treble staff.
Notes on the treble staff are usually played with your right hand.
The Quarter Note
This music note is called a quarter note.
Music notes are written in the spaces and on the lines of a staff.
The Note Middle C
Middle C is written just below the staff n a short line (called a leger line).
Play eight Middle C notes. Count aloud as you play. Use the thumb of your right hand. On the recording there are four drumbeats to introduce this exercise. Music is divided into bars (or measures) by bar lines. In this exercise there are two bars of music.
The Four Four Time Signature
The two numbers after the clef are called the time signature.
This is called the four four time signature. It tells you there are four beats in each bar.
Here are four bars of Middle C in * time. Play slowly and evenly, counting as you play. On the recording there are four drumbeats to introduce exercises and songs in * time.
There are four quarter notes in one bar of * time.
