1A. Musical Notation
For many people musical notation is a nightmare. Actually, it has a lot of benefits, and it’s quite easy to read. Tablature is quite common but much more complicated and in many cases rather confusing. In this lesson I’ll show you how easy it is to learn musical notation.
The first seven letters of the alphabet are identical with the names of the seven natural tones:
The names of the remaining notes are mere derivatives - like adding a suffix to a word.
Instead of letters, however, musical notation uses symbols and a system of five lines called staff:
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The symbols are written on the lines and spaces. The position of the symbol, i.e. the line or space, determines the name of the note. The note on the lower space is A. On the line above that is B, C is on the next space, D on the middle line, E on the space above that, the fourth line is F, and G is on the upper space. The musical alphabet repeats above and below the staff, and the notes are relative to those within the staff. Their pitch, however, is higher or lower depending on their position. |
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This notation within the staff applies only for the bass and other low-pitched instruments like the cello, the tuba etc. The staff is marked by a clef at the beginning to prevent any confusion. The bass clef is a stylised F, and the two dots indicate the F line within the staff. |
For a start you’ll only have to learn five symbols.
The appearance of the symbol (head, stem and flags) indicates the time value (duration), and the position of the symbol in the staff determines name and pitch.
You’ve probably realised already how easy musical notation is. With a little practice you’ll soon be an expert.
