| To read basic sheet music is not difficult once you | | | | * A hollow oval called a semibreve. This is a whole |
| have mastered the odd and peculiar looking notes | | | | note lasting for four beats or a measure. |
| and symbols and understand exactly what they | | | | * A hollow oval with a stem is called a minim. This |
| mean. | | | | note takes two beats. |
| Did you notice that the notes are written on a | | | | * A solid oval with a stem is called a crotchet and |
| set of five horizontal lines? This is known as a | | | | lasts for one beat. |
| staff. The vertical lines placed at intervals on the | | | | * A black oval with a stem and flag is known as a |
| staff are used to divide the music into measures. | | | | quaver and last for half a beat. |
| Each measure contains a number of notes and | | | | * A black oval with a stem and two flags is called |
| the name of the note is determined by the | | | | a semi-quaver and takes just a quarter of a beat. |
| horizontal line it is placed on or between. So, let's | | | | A note followed by a dot increases the value of |
| start at the bottom line and work upwards on | | | | the beat for that note. |
| each line. On the treble clef these notes are E, G, | | | | Each of the above mentioned notes have a |
| B, D, F., easily remembered by the little rhyme, | | | | matching rest. |
| Every Good Boy Deserves Favor. The notes | | | | * The semibreve rest looks is a small black oblong |
| located in the spaces between the lines are F, A, | | | | sitting on top of a line. |
| C, E which no doubt you have spotted, spells the | | | | * The minim rest is identical but sits under the line. |
| word face. | | | | * The crochet rest looks is the sign of a curly |
| On the left hand side at the beginning of the | | | | vertical line. |
| music there is a clef sign, either a treble clef | | | | * The quaver rest looks like a vertically slanted |
| where the notes are usually higher in tone or bass | | | | line with a black circle on the top left with a loop. |
| clef where the notes are lower. The clef dictates | | | | * The semi-quaver rest is similar to the quaver |
| which octave the notes are to be played in. | | | | rest but with two black circles attached. |
| Alongside the clef you fill find two numbers | | | | Crochets, quavers and semi-quavers are |
| written as a fraction and this is the time signature | | | | frequently attached to each other by one or two |
| of the music and how many beats should be | | | | lines going across the stems. The stems of the |
| played to the measure. | | | | notes can point upwards or downwards depending |
| The sharps or flats of the key the music is | | | | on whether they are above or below the center |
| played in are shown in the key signature which is | | | | line on the staff. If the notes are joined by a |
| also near to the clef or sometimes, if it is just an | | | | curved line then only the first note is picked out |
| odd note here or there to be played sharp or flat | | | | but the count of the other notes is included. |
| the symbol will be alongside the note itself. A b | | | | These are just some guidelines for the beginner |
| sign means a flat while a # symbol means a | | | | but there are many opportunities available on the |
| sharp and both of these are written against the | | | | Internet and in books showing numerous diagrams |
| notes required to be changed. | | | | on how to read sheet music whatever your |
| The notes are best described as such - | | | | chosen instrument. |