Chapter 2 of 10All chapters
Chapter 2 of 10
Reading notation
A map of time and pitch.
The staff
Five lines, a clef fixing which pitches they represent, and noteheads placed higher or lower. Position gives pitch, shape gives duration.
- Treble and bass clefs cover most common ranges.
- Accidentals raise or lower a pitch by a semitone.
Other systems
Chord charts, tablature and lead sheets each record only what a given musician needs. Notation is a tool, not the music itself.