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How To Read Music Notes - learn to play piano / keyboard

Music Terms / Definitions:Staff:

A staff of music is made up of five horizontal lines and four spaces. Each line and space representsa key on the piano. Notes and rests are then placed on the staff.

Clef:

A clef is a symbol at the beginning of a staff of music which makes it possible for the player to workout what the notes are. It indicates the pitch of the notes on that staff to be played. The two mostcommon clefs are the Treble Clef and Bass Clef.

Measure:

Sheet music is divided into Measures. Each individual Measure lasts for the same timeduration, and can consist of a combination of notes and rests. A measure ends where a vertical bar linegoes through the staff (horizontal lines) on sheet music.

Note:

A note is represented by a sign, which tells the musician the duration and pitch of a sound.

Pitch:

The specific frequency of a sound. Notes to the right of the keyboard have a higher pitch than thenotes to the left.

Beat:

A beat is the name for a unit of music. Musicians learn to count beats, and play notes for thespecified number of beats. Some use a metronome, this device counts out beats, and will tick accordingto which timing you have set. Counting beats starts when the first note is played.

Time Signature:

The time signature, also known as a “meter”, tells the musician how many notes are ina measure.

Time Signatures (Meters):

The below table summarizes the different types of time signatures and their associated beats.There are many more time signatures, but it is a good idea to start with the 4/4 time signature as it iseasier to count.Below are the rules of the 4/4 time signature:- There are 4 beats in one measure- When you play a whole note, count out 4 beats- When you play a half note, count out 2 beats- When you play a quarter note, count out 1 beat and then move onto the next note.- 2 eight notes should fit into 1 beat- 4 sixteenth notes fit into 1 beat

Tip:

When learning to play the piano / keyboard, count aloud to get used to the rhythm.

The table below displays the different types of notes and clefs. All definitions are located at the end of thepage.

Treble Clef:

When reading sheet music, you will notice that there is a treble clef at the top left hand corner of your musicbook. The notes along side the treble clef are usually played with your right hand. There are 5 lines and 4spaces beneath the treble clef, each of these lines and spaces represents a note on the piano. It isimportant to learn them off by heart. These notes are located to the right of middle C.Treble Clef Lines - E, G, B, D, F (Eat Good Bread Dear Father)Treble Clef Spaces - F, A, C, E (Face).

Bass Clef:

Beneath the treble clef on sheet music, you will see a second set of lines and spaces with the Bass Clef symbol on the left. This is to make it easier to read. The Bass Clef notes are usually played with your lefthand, and are lower in tone than the notes with the Treble Clef. To locate these notes, go one octave down(the next C to the left of middle C), and locate the notes to the right of that note.Bass Clef Lines - G, B, D, F, A (Good, Bread, Dear, Father, Ate)Bass Clef Spaces - A, C, E, G, (Alice, Can, Eat, Grapes).Musicians must learn how to count evenly, to make sure they are playing each note for the correct length of time.

Tip:

To begin you may prefer to write the corresponding notes on your sheet music to help.

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