Overview

  • pitch and rhythm are the only aspects of music notation that are specifically relevant to music theory.
  • they are also the most important aspects of music notation
  • since we are covering some aspects of music notation, we might as well look at others.
  • this section includes lessons covering some of the rest of what you should know about music notation.
  • for lessons that deal with notation and terminology only, there may not always be worksheets
  • more lessons may be added over time, leave suggestions in the comments!

Here is a list of some of the specific types of symbols and terms used in music notation:

  • staves and systems: organization of music into lines
  • multiple voices: independent rhythms on one staff
  • dynamics: volume of the music (pp, p, mp, mf, f, ff, etc.)
  • tempo: speed of the music, measured in beats per minute (allegro, largo, etc.)
  • repeats: indications that a particular section of music is to be repeated (repeat barlines, voltas, D.S., measure repeats, etc.)
  • articulation, technique, and expression: details of how notes are physically played or sung (staccato, legato, up bow, with mute, etc.)
  • ornaments: notes played outside the usual notation of duration (trills, grace notes, tremolo, arpeggios, glissandi, etc.)

Complete and Continue