| Understanding the meaning of the various music | | | | #5 - If you see a # sign, this is called a sharp. It |
| symbols is the crux of reading piano sheet music. | | | | refers to the black notes on the piano. C is a |
| These symbols were devised over 1,000 years | | | | white note. C# is the very next black note up |
| ago and have become the cornerstone of | | | | from C. |
| notating music in the Western world. With helpful, | | | | #6 - If you see a "b" sign (it will be a pointed b), |
| clear instruction, the world of written music will be | | | | this is called a flat. Again it refers to the black |
| within your grasp. Here are 10 easy ways to learn | | | | notes on the piano. D is a white note. Db is the |
| the music symbols. | | | | very next black note down from D. |
| #1 - The simpler the note is, the longer it lasts! A | | | | #7 - "p" in music stands for piano. This means |
| plain oval (a whole note) is worth 4 beats. | | | | play quietly. |
| #2 - Add a stem and halve its value. An oval with | | | | #8 - "f" in music stands for forte. This means |
| a stem (a half note) is worth 2 beats. | | | | play loudly. |
| #3 - Colour it in black and halve its value. A black | | | | #9 - The treble clef refers to the notes above |
| oval with a stem (a quarter note) is worth 1 beat. | | | | Middle C on the piano. |
| #4 - If you add a dot after a note, you add on | | | | #10 - The bass clef refers to the notes below |
| half of its value. A half note is worth 2 beats. A | | | | Middle C. |
| dotted half note is worth 2 + 1 = 3 beats. | | | | |