The Language Of Music

Music TheoryStaff, Clefs, Time, Notation

By Mr. White

The Staff

5 lines and 4 spacesnumbering starts at the bottom

The Staff

5 lines and 4 spacesnumbering starts at the bottom

Treble Clef

Also know as the “G” clef

For instruments with higher pitchesFlute, Trumpet, Recorder, Guitar

Notation

E F G A B C D E F

Bass Clef

Also known as the “F” clefFor instruments with lower pitches

Bassoon, Trombone, Bass Guitar

Notation

G A B C D E F G A

Other Clefs

Alto Clef Tenor Clef

Notes

Whole Note

Notes

Half Note

Notes

Quarter Note

Notes

Eighth Note

Notes

Eighth NotesConnected with a bar

Measure & Bar Lines

↑ ↔measure

Bar line

↑↔measure

Double BarSong or Section End

↑Bar line

Time Signature

•Top number indicates how many beats are in a measure

•Bottom number indicates which note gets 1 beat

Time Signature

Use the music substitution method to create the fraction the note represents for the

bottom number

= =

Time Signature

Time Signature

Time Signature

Rests

Whole Half Quarter Eighth

Rests

Whole Half Quarter Eighth

Notes and Rests

Whole Half Quarter Eighth

Counting

1-2-3-4 1-2-3-4

Counting

1-2 3-4 1-2 3-4

Counting

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

Counting

1 a 2 a 3 a 4 a 1 a 2 a 3 a 4 a

Reading Music

G C BAG C

1 2 3-4 1a 2 3-4 1-2-3-4