| Sheet music can be imposing if you are a new | | | | played. The treble clef is the first one we will |
| music student. Seemingly written in its own | | | | discuss. Mainly used for higher pitched voices and |
| language, it can seem like you are expected to be | | | | instruments, it looks somewhat like a reverse S |
| able to read code. In a way you are. Sheet music | | | | with a line that bisects it vertically. |
| is written in such a way that musicians can look | | | | The lines of the treble clef staff can be |
| at it and tell instantly what key, tempo and scale | | | | memorized quite easily by the use of an acronym. |
| they should be playing in. If you are looking to | | | | From the bottom to the top: Every Good Boy |
| learn more about sheet music and how to read it | | | | Does Fine or EGBD and F. The spaces can be |
| then you will have to start at the beginning and | | | | memorized just as easily if not more so: FACE or |
| work your way through; just as you would when | | | | F A C and E. The bass clef is the second of the |
| playing a piece in the first place. | | | | two clefs. It is used for instruments and voices |
| The very first thing you must recognize is the | | | | that are in a much lower register. The acronym |
| structure. While different pieces of music may | | | | for bass clef notes are as easy to memorize as |
| have varying parts, the basic elements of sheet | | | | those of the treble clef. The lines are Good Boys |
| music will always remain the same. The first | | | | Do Fine Always or GBDFA. The spaces are All |
| important piece of this would be the staff. The | | | | Cows Eat Grass or ACE and G. |
| staff includes not only the five lines that you see | | | | The next part of the musical language you must |
| on the paper. It also includes the four spaces in | | | | learn is the key signature. This will tell you which |
| between each of these lines. Each of the lines and | | | | scale you will be using as a base for your piece. |
| spaces will correspond with a single note. You will | | | | The notes will be marked as to which ones are |
| find the other musical portions in various places on | | | | sharp, flat or natural and this will hold true for the |
| the staff. | | | | entire piece unless individual notes are marked |
| There will be a clef sign, a time signature, a key | | | | otherwise. The last piece of the language you will |
| signature and then any other marking that may | | | | find at the beginning of the musical piece will be |
| denote a certain tempo or pitch that is intended. | | | | the time signature. |
| Each of these will work together in order to bring | | | | The time signature will let you know how many |
| order to the notes that will be found across the | | | | notes you will be playing per measure. A measure |
| staff and help to build the piece of music that | | | | is a part of the staff separated from the other |
| they are to become. Now that you know the | | | | parts by vertical lines. The time measure is |
| name of the different parts you can begin to | | | | represented as a whole number or a fraction. 4/4 |
| learn what each one is and what its purpose | | | | is regarded as the standard time signature unless |
| might be. The first part you will find is the clef | | | | another time signature is listed. There are several |
| symbol. | | | | different time signatures that may be used |
| The clef symbol is determined by the the voice | | | | including 6/8, 2/3, and 3/4. |
| that you sing or your particular instrument. There | | | | Now that you know the basics of the staff you |
| are two different clefs, treble and bass, which | | | | will be all set to begin learning the basics of the |
| determine the octave of the notes you play or | | | | different notes and the length of time they should |
| sing. They also determine the notes that will be | | | | be held. Enjoy! |