How to Read Music
The Staff or Stave
There are five lines used in music notation called the staff or stave. Music notes are written in the spaces and on the lines of the staff.
Treble Clef
This symbol is c alled a treble clef.
Treble Staff
A staff with a treble clef written on it is called a treble staff.
Bass Clef
This symbol is called a bass clef.
Bass Staff
A staff with a bass clef written on it is called a bass staff.
High notes are written on the treble staff, and are usually played with your right hand. Low notes are written on the bass staff, and are usually played with your left hand.
The Grand Staff
When the treble and bass staves are joined together by a line and a bracket, they are called a grand staff. Piano music is written on the grand staff. Notes written on the treble clef are played on the right hand side of keyboard while notes written on the bass clef are played on the left hand side of the keyboard.
The Quarter Note
This is a musical note called a quarter note. A quarter note lasts for one beat.
Music is divided into bars (sometimes called measures) by bar lines. In this example there are two bars of music.
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. Count aloud as you play. Use the thumb of your right hand. On the recording there are four beats to introduce this song.
Music is divided into bars (sometimes called measures) by bar lines. In this song there are two bars of music.
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 beats in each bar. There are four quarter notes in a bar of * time.
Here are four bars of Middle C in * time. Count aloud as you play. On the recording there are four beats to introduce songs in* time.
