Music Notation

Reading the staff — clefs, dynamics, articulation marks, repeat structures, and key signature identification.

The Staff

Clefs and note positions
Treble clef (G clef):
  Lines:  E G B D F    ("Every Good Boy Does Fine")
  Spaces: F A C E      ("FACE")
  Middle C: one ledger line below

Bass clef (F clef):
  Lines:  G B D F A    ("Good Boys Do Fine Always")
  Spaces: A C E G      ("All Cows Eat Grass")
  Middle C: one ledger line above

Grand staff: treble + bass together (piano)
  Middle C sits between the two staves

Ledger lines: extend the staff above/below
  Learn to count from nearest staff line, not memorize

Dynamics and Expression

Dynamic markings
Symbol   Name                Level
────────────────────────────────────
ppp      pianississimo       extremely soft
pp       pianissimo          very soft
p        piano               soft
mp       mezzo-piano         moderately soft
mf       mezzo-forte         moderately loud
f        forte               loud
ff       fortissimo          very loud
fff      fortississimo       extremely loud

Gradual changes:
  crescendo (cresc.)     gradually louder     <
  decrescendo (decresc.) gradually softer     >
  diminuendo (dim.)      gradually softer     >

Sudden changes:
  sfz    sforzando        sudden accent
  fp     forte-piano      loud then immediately soft
  subito piano (sub. p)   suddenly soft

Articulation

Articulation marks
Staccato (.)        short, detached
Tenuto (-)          held full value, slight emphasis
Accent (>)          emphasized attack
Marcato (^)         strong accent
Legato (slur/tie)   smooth, connected
Fermata (𝄐)         hold note longer than written

Bowing (strings):
  ∏   down-bow (heavier, from frog)
  V   up-bow (lighter, from tip)
  pizz.  pluck the string
  arco   return to bowing

Ornaments:
  tr    trill (rapid alternation with note above)
  ~     mordent (quick alternation)
  turn  four-note ornament around main note
  grace note  small quick note before main note

Repeat and Structure Marks

Repeats
|: ... :|           repeat the section
1. / 2.             first and second ending
D.C. (Da Capo)      go back to the beginning
D.S. (Dal Segno)    go back to the sign (𝄋)
Coda (⊕)            jump to coda section
Fine                 end here (with D.C. or D.S.)

Common form:
  D.C. al Fine     go to start, play until Fine
  D.S. al Coda     go to sign, play until coda jump, go to coda

Rehearsal marks: letters or numbers for navigation
  "Start from letter B" = "Start from rehearsal mark B"

See Also

  • Theory — the harmonic concepts notation represents

  • Sight-Reading — applying notation reading in real time

  • LilyPond — text-based music engraving