Download Rules for Proper Notation of Music

Rules for Proper Notation of Music
1. Stem length:
• Rule – Stems of a single note must be an octave long.
• Exception 1 – If a note head is located on a ledger line, it must be at least an octave and
extend to touch the 3rd line.
• Exception 2 – If a note is beamed together with another note, one stem may be lengthened so
that the beam has a “gentle slant.”
2. Stem Direction:
• Rule – If a note head is on or above the 3rd line, its stem goes down. If it is below the 3rd line,
its stem goes up.
• Exception 1 – When notes are beamed, the note that is the farthest away from the 3rd line
determines the direction of stem.
• Exception 2 – When 2 or more notes share a stem, the note that is the farthest away from the
3rd line determines the direction of the stem.
3. Stem Location (Correct side for a stem):
• Rule – If a stem goes down, it is located on the left side of the note head. If a stem goes up, it
is located on the right side of the note head.
• Exception – When 2 notes share a stem and are on an adjacent line and space, the higher
note is always to the right of the stem regardless of the stem’s direction.