Reading Music Notation
- Okay, so why does a guitarist need to read notation? If you have to ask that question, then you haven't visited your local library or Borders bookstore lately. There are literally thousands of music books out there that DO NOT include tablature, and you're missing out! Need I say more? If that's not good enough, go pick up a few and see how far you get, then I'll see you back here! -
Music is written on a STAFF made up of five (5) lines and four (4) spaces. The lines and spaces are numbered from bottom to top, and are named after letters in the alphabet.
The STAFF is separated into measures by vertical lines called BARS.
The type of NOTE will indicate the length of sound.
Pay close attention to what each note type looks like. The name of the note is the same as the line or space on
which it sits; whereas the location of the note in, above, or below the staff
indicates its pitch.
PITCH: the height or depth of a tone.
TONE: a musical sound.
A REST is a sign used to designate a period of silence. The period of silence is the same amount of time as the corresponding note
The examples to the left are common types of TIME SIGNATURES. The top is the number of beats per measure. The bottom shows the type of notes receiving one beat.
If you're comfortable with what you've seen so far, take the Notation Test. If you have anything that you'd like to share, send them to me. Send this lesson to friend.