How to Read Music
Staves
These five lines are called the staff or stave.
Music notes are written in the spaces and on the lines of the staff.
Treble Clef
This symbol is called a treble clef.
Bass Clef
This symbol is called a bass clef.
Treble Staff
A staff with a treble clef written on it is called a treble staff.
High notes are written on the treble staff, and are usually played with your right hand on the upper manual.
Bass Staff
A staff with a bass clef written on it is called a bass staff.
Low notes are written on the bass staff, and are usually played with your left hand on the lower manual.
The Grand Staff
When the treble and bass staves are joined together by a line and a bracket, they are called a grand staff.
Organ music is written on the grand staff.
The Quarter Note
This is a musical note called a quarter note.
Notes are written on staves.
The Note Middle C
Middle C is written just below the treble staff on a short line (called a leger line).
Play eight Middle C notes on the upper manual.
Count aloud as you play. Use the thumb of your right hand.
On the cassette there are four drumbeats to introduce this song.
Music is divided into bars by bar lines. In this song there are two bars of music. Bars can also be called measures.
The Four Four Time Signature
The Four Four Time Signature
The two pairs of numbers after the clefs are called the time signature.
This is called the four four time signature.
It tells you there are four counts in each bar.
There are four quarter notes in one bar of * time.
Here are four bars of Middle C in * time. Count aloud as you play.
On the cassette there are drumbeats to introduce songs in * time.
Things to Remember
Play the keys with the tips of your fingers.
Keep your fingers curved.
