Learn how to read sheet music!

Overview| Note overview | Next

Notes is not the music. The music will come when you put your soul into the melody that you read on the notes. If you want to learn music by heart (and that should be your goal) it is faster to learn music by listening, than by reading sheet music. However sometimes it is practical to know the notes. Therefore this little course

 

 

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The note system consists of 5 lines. The pitch of the note depends on where the note is placed. It may be placed between the lines or on the line. If the pitch is outside of the system, help lines are constructed.

The note is active. Move your mouse and you can see the name of the note. Click on the note and it will "freeze" and you will here the tone corresponding to the note. Click again and the note will stop and you can again move the note.

The same effect is implemented here were you also may see (and click) on the fingerboard, where to take the note is taken.. This link takes you to a HTML piano and you can see where the note is with respect to a keyboard. (You may use the computer keyboard for playing the HTML piano)

 
     
The note starts with a clef. This is the G-clef, it tells the position of the note G on the second line from below.

Other clefs

The F-clef is used for bass instruments the note f is between the dots

The C-clef is used by the cello.
     
Hereafter follows the rhythm. 4/4 means 4 quorternotes per bar.

3/4 is used for waltz and the Swedish polska.:


This means 4/4. .
     
The vertical lines limits the bar.  
 


Accidentals

  

This sign raises the pitch by a semitone.

-The b-sign lowers the pitch by a semitone

The signs when placed by a note is valid for the rest of the bar.

-This sign will reset the pitch to the original,l

  
     


When the signs are placed in the beginning of a line they are valid for the full sheet, (until a change is signed)

 

You may translate the fixed signs to keys here and here.

  
 

Double signs

  

 

A cross means a double raise of pitch (raise by a whole tone=two semitones)

The double be lowers the tone with a whole tone (two semitones)