Music Basics

The Grand Staff Stems and Beams

Notes below the third line are written with stems up. Notes on
Middle C
or above the third line are written with stems down.

Notes and Rests

Whole Half Quarter Eighth Sixteenth Stem Direction of beamed notes or chords is determined by
Note Rest Note Rest Note Rest Note Rest Note Rest the note farthest from the third line.

A dot added to a note or rest increases its value by 1/2.

Key Signatures

C major G major D major A major E major B major F major C major

Key of A minor E minor B minor F minor C minor G minor D minor A minor

Order of Sharps: F C G D A E B

C major F major B major E major A major D major G major C major

Key of A minor D minor G minor C minor F minor B minor E minor A minor

Order of Flats: B E A D G C F