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How to Read Sheet Music
By: Lisset Alba, Azure Bradger, Jess Bradshaw, Alissa Crowder
Table of Content
iii
Table of Contents
Contents
Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................................... iii
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... v
Chapter 1 ....................................................................................................................................................... 3
Before You Read Sheet Music .................................................................................................................. 3
Musical Staff ......................................................................................................................................... 3
Note Pitches .......................................................................................................................................... 3
Sharps, Natural, and Flats ..................................................................................................................... 3
Musical Keys ........................................................................................................................................ 4
Time Signatures .................................................................................................................................... 5
Chapter 2: Treble Clef .................................................................................................................................. 9
Range .................................................................................................................................................... 9
Instruments ............................................................................................................................................ 9
Chapter 3: Alto Clef .................................................................................................................................... 13
Range .................................................................................................................................................. 13
Alto Clef Instruments .......................................................................................................................... 13
Chapter 4: Reading Tenor Clef ................................................................................................................... 17
Range .................................................................................................................................................. 17
Tenor Clef Instruments ....................................................................................................................... 17
Chapter 5: Bass Clef ................................................................................................................................... 19
Range .................................................................................................................................................. 19
Instruments .......................................................................................................................................... 20
Glossary ...................................................................................................................................................... 21
Resources .................................................................................................................................................... 25
Index ........................................................................................................................................................... 27
Introduction
v
Introduction
Reading sheet music may sound frightening but before anyone starts to panic,
first let us look at what music is defined as. Music is the art of creating a harmonic
sound through the use of different rhythms, pitches and tones. The use of music can
cause an emotional response from the audience but its purpose is to express one’s
emotions.
In this manual you will find the basic and most fundamental steps needed when
learning to read sheet music.
You will be introduced to…
● Time and key signatures, which are located to the right of the clef symbol
on the music sheet.
● Enharmonic, which are keys, have six pairs, three major and three minors.
● The middle C, which is on the first ledger line.
● The Four clefs, which will include the Alto clef, Bass clef, Treble clef, and
Tenor clef.
You will also read about the majors and minors of keys; where majors are higher
pitched tones and minors are lower. Also included in this manual is the range, which is
the distance between the highest note and the lowest note of an instrument.
Fly Chapter 1
Chapter 1
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Chapter 1
Before You Read Sheet Music
Before you dive into the clef of your choice (or all of them), there is certain terminology
and concepts to know. Most of the terminology can be found in the glossary, which
begins on page ___, but in this chapter, we will discuss:
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What the musical staff is
what note pitch numbers are
What sharps, naturals, and flats are
How to identify musical keys (including enharmonics)
what time signatures are
Musical Staff
Music is written on a 5-lined bar called a staff. The notes are split throughout the
music into sections called measures. Each line and space represents a space where a
note can be placed, and notes are termed starting with the letter C, then proceed to D, E,
F, and G, then A and B, and the series repeats. Symbols determine the way the measures
are played, whether they are repeated, or even if they are silent. Basic notes range as
long as a whole note (which lasts 4 beats) or as short as a 16th note (which lasts ¼ of a
beat). These symbols are placed in various combinations to give us the sounds we all
commonly enjoy.
(insert image of notes here)
Note Pitches
The pitch of a note is how high or low the note is to the ear. The higher pitches
are, the higher their pitch reference number is. In reading sheet music, the
instrumentalist must remember that every musical staff is centered around what’s called
Middle C. Middle C is the centermost note in musical pitch, and is the main route in
which a person chooses a clef when composing music. The human ear can hear as low as
C-1 (the lowest note on an organ) or as high as C10 (that weird ring coming from your
old TV set). For the purposes of music, most songs are written to accommodate
comfortable ranges, so the highest pitch used is around the 8th octave (octave: see
glossary). The number is the reference to what pitch octave it is in, and the letter is the
note.
(insert pitch chart and common sounds here)
Sharps, Natural, and Flats
In music, there are various pitches that can be used to create the imagery the writer
wants. Sharps, naturals, and flats are used to identify the halfway points in between
notes to specify these pitches. These notations are added to a note to either raise it half a
step (to “sharpen” the note) or to lower it half a step (“flatten” the note). A natural
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Title of manual
notation is used when there is a moment in the song where the composer does not want
the sharpened or flattened note, so they annotate that using the symbol.
(insert pictures of sharps, flats, and naturals here)
Musical Keys
When reading sheet music, symbols called sharps, flats, and naturals change the pitch of
a note by a half step. When it is not in the key signature of a piece, the note after it is the
only note changed by the symbol. In music, these are called accidental notes, and they
can change the whole pitch of a section of a piece.
The key is determined by the note above the last sharp, or the note exactly 5 notes above
the last flat. Natural markings are only included in key signatures if the key is changing
in the middle of the song. The key can be defined by a major note change (the 7th note is
always half a step from the 8th) or a minor (where the 2nd note is a half step away from
the 3rd). The relative minor to a major key always begins from the 6th note of the scale.
In the direction of the sharps, we have the G scale, the D scale, the A scale, the E scale,
the B scale, and the F# (F sharp) scale. Each of these scales has one more sharp in its
key signature than the previous scale.
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The G scale (E Minor) has 1 sharp: F#
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The D scale (B Minor) has 2 sharps: F# and C#
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The A scale (F# Minor) has 3 sharps: F#, C#, and G#
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The E scale (C# Minor) has 4 sharps: F#, C#, G#, and D#
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The B scale (G# Minor) has 5 sharps: F#, C#, G#, D#, and A#
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The F# scale (D# Minor) has 6 sharps: F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, and E#.
In the direction of the flats, we have the F scale, the B flat scale, the E flat scale, the A
flat scale, the D flat scale, the G flat scale, and the C flat scale. Each of these can also be
identified by the second-to-last flat on the staff, and contains one more flat than the
previous scale.
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F (D Minor) has 1 flat: B
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Bb (G Minor) has 2: B, E
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Eb (C Minor) has 3: B, E, A
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Ab (F Minor) has 4: B, E, A, D
Chapter 1
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Db (Bb Minor) has 5: B, E, A, D, G
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Gb (Eb Minor) has 6: B, E, A, D, G, C
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The F# scale is not considered a normal scale, because the last sharp, E#, is the
equivalent of an F natural. Adding one more sharp, the B#, would have similar effects,
with the B# being the same note as a C natural. Similarly, the C flat scale is the different
scale among the flats. The last flat, F, is the same note as E natural, and C flat is the
same note as B natural. These scales are called enharmonic scales, as they have those
“copycat” notes, called enharmonic notes (see glossary: enharmonic).
Time Signatures
Time signatures are the method that music is counted, so that a musician can maintain
their place in a song. It is determined by a set note that is used to count the beat, and a
set number to determine how many of the beats are in a measure (see glossary:
measure). It is written at the beginning of the piece to identify the counting for the song,
and will be written in at the beginning of a measure if it changes during the song.
Fly Chapter 2
Chapter2
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Chapter 2: Treble Clef
Treble clef is the most common clef used by musicians. It is used for middle to higher
pitched instruments such as trumpet,violin, and flute. The way treble clef is arranged
makes reading higher notes much easier for the high-pitched instruments. Higher
pitched instruments normally read parts that have high pitches so treble clef is written
so that C4 is placed lower in the staff. This enables higher parts to be written to suit
reading the sheet music better. Below is a picture of the C Major scale in treble clef.
Range
The treble clef is the highest range used in music, because it ranges as low as Middle C
and as high as C8. As a result, because there is no way to assist the reader, the highest of
notes have several written in lines, called ledger lines, to mark their place on the staff to
the reader. Each space represents a different letter of the staff: F, A, C, E. The lines of
the staff represent the unnamed letters: E,G,B,D,F. The end of the treble clef will always
circle the location of G4.
(Insert treble clef visuals here showing range--------------->)
Visual1
Visual2
Instruments
The instruments that most commonly read treble clef are violin, flute, clarinet,
saxaphone, and trumpet. All of these instruments are used to play the higher pitches of
most songs and parts so they read treble clef to make it easier to read. Most of these
instruments also have extremely high ranges, so the added ledger lines at the top of the
staff are necessary for them to interpret a piece of music.
Below are lines of music to assist your reading levels. Finding additional music may be
helpful, as well.
Fly chapter 3
Chapter3
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Chapter 3: Alto Clef
Range
Much like the treble, the alto clef is created for higher pitched instruments, however, is
written to be used for the lower range of those instruments. Sometimes called a thirdline C-clef, it is commonly used with instruments like the viola, but is not commonly
used amongst other instruments. For some instances of trombone, oboe, and bassoon
music, the use of alto clef is necessary to assist the player. When reading music in the
alto clef, one must remember that the whole range is centered around middle C. It can
extend as low as G3 (lowest G in the Bass clef without ledger lines) and as high as F6
(highest F on Treble Clef without ledger lines).
To begin, lets look at the lines of the staff. The centermost line (in between the humps of
the B) represents middle C (C4). From lowest to highest, the lined notes are termed as
follows: F, A, C, E, G. The F is the lowest note on the staff, and the G is the highest note.
The spaces include the letters of notes that were skipped in the lines: G,B,D,F. Simply
put, these notes are one note away from the surrounding consecutive notes. From lowest
to highest pitch, the notes read: F, G, A, B, C, D, E, F, G.
Alto Clef Instruments
The interesting fact with Alto clef is its irregularity in music. The only instrument that
regularly uses the Alto clef is the Viola. Other instruments, like the trombone, oboe, and
bassoon only use it when the range of the musical piece fits best in the alto clef.
Below are some select lines of music to practice reading in alto clef. Take some time to
get used to how the notes may skip several lines of the staff. If you can, try playing the
line on an instrument, to see how the note changes on paper sound in music.
(insert music lines here)
Fly Chapter 4
Chapter 4
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Chapter 4: Reading Tenor Clef
Range
Tenor clef is used much like alto clef. It is positioned on the fourth line of the staff,
where the humps of the “B” meet to acknowledge where middle C is. Tenor clef is used
by many lower range instruments when they play higher pitched music, such as cello,
double bass, tuba, baritone (euphonium), and trombone. It is often used as a transition
clef to treble clef for pieces written in higher pitches. It’s composing range can be as low
as D2 (considered a bass clef note) or as high as E5 (considered a treble clef note).
In the tenor clef, the fourth line represents middle C (C4). Notes below it can also be
written easily in Bass Clef, however, notes above it can easily be written in Treble Clef.
Excluding the notes on ledger lines, we have the lined notes: D, F, A, C, and E. The notes
in the spaces are: E, G, B, and D.
Tenor Clef Instruments
The purpose of the tenor clef is to assist in transitioning lower range instruments into
higher range music. Instruments that play higher range music, such as the cello, bass,
tuba, bassoon, or trombone, use tenor clef as a transition into playing notes that range
much higher than their C4.
A good way to master the basics of reading tenor clef is to practice with sheet music that
transitions into it from treble and/or bass clef. Below are some selected lines from music
that can aid you in better reading.
(music notes here)
Chapter 5
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Chapter 5: Bass Clef
Bass clef is the second most common clef used by musicians. It is used for lower
instruments such as trombone, string bass, cello, and tuba. The way bass clef is arranged
makes reading lower notes much easier for the low pitched instruments. Lower
instruments normally read parts that have low pitches so bass clef is written so that
Middle C (C4) is placed 4 steps higher than it would be in treble clef. This means that
every pitch is read 4 steps higher on the musical staff to make lower parts easier to read.
Below is a comparison of the C Major scale in treble and bass clef.
(Insert C Major Bass scale)
Range
The note names are still the same as they are with other clefs, but they’re organized
differently on the musical staff and the note names are correlated to different pitches. A
rule of thumb for identifying notes in bass clef is to remember the acronym GBDFA
(Good Boys Deserve Fudge Always). This is the order of the arrangement of letters on
the staff, from the lowest line to the highest line. The spaces in the staff can be
remembered as A, C, E, and G. These are the most common notes used, and are
essential when extending your knowledge to higher clefs.
The range of bass clef is equal to those of all other clefs, but extends far lower to
accommodate the lowest notes in music. The technical range of a bass clef part is from
C2 all the way up to C5 (see below in visual 1).
(insert bass clef note ranges here ------------>)
Visual1
Visual2
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Title of manual
Instruments
The instruments that most commonly read bass clef are trombone, cello, euphonium,
string bass, bassoon, and tuba. All of these instruments are used to play the lower
pitches of most songs and parts, so they read bass clef to make it easier to read. Tuba
and euphonium especially need bass clef due to the extensive lower range needed for
their parts.
Below are some lines of music to help you practice reading the bass clef. More extensive
music will be easier to read if a person has a solid foundation.
Glossary
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Glossary
Accelerando: A symbol used in musical notation indicating to gradually quicken tempo.
Symbol:
Alto Clef: The clef that establishes middle C as being on the third line of the staff. Also
known as Viola Clef. Symbol:
Bass Clef: The sign placed on the music staff to indicate placement of the F below
middle C. Symbol:
Beat: The unit of musical rhythm.
Chamber Music: Written for 2 to 10 solo parts featuring one instrument to a part. Each
part bears the same importance.
Chord: 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony.
Clef: A symbol at the beginning of the staff defining the pitch of the notes found in that
particular staff.
Duet: A piece of music written for two vocalists or instrumentalists.
Dynamics: Pertaining to the loudness or softness of a musical composition. Also the
symbols in sheet music indicating volume. Symbols:
Enharmonic: A note, interval, or key signature that is equivalent to some other note,
interval, or key signature but "spelled", or named differently.
Ensemble: The performance of either all instruments of an orchestra or voices in a
chorus.
Fifth: The interval between two notes. Three whole tones and one semitone make up the
distance between the two notes.
Flat: A symbol indicating that the note is to be diminished by one semitone. Symbol:
Forte: A symbol indicating to play loud. Symbol:
Fourth: The interval between two notes. Two whole tones and one semitone make up
the distance between the two notes.
Harmony: Pleasing combination of two or three tones played together in the
background while a melody is being played.
Instrumentation: Arrangement of music for a combined number of instruments.
Interlude: Piece of instrumental music played between scenes in a play or opera.
Interval: The distance in pitch between two notes.
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Title of manual
Key: System of notes or tones based on and named after the key note.
Key signature: The flats and sharps at the beginning of each staff line indicating the key
of music the piece is to be played.
Major: One of the two modes of the tonal system. Music written in major keys have a
positive affirming character.
Measure: The unit of measure where the beats on the lines of the staff are divided up
into two, three, four beats to a measure.
Minor: One of the two modes of the tonal system. The minor mode can be identified by
the dark, melancholic mood.
Monotone: Repetition of a single tone.
Octave: Eight full tones above the key note where the scale begins and ends.
Octet: A composition written for eight instruments.
Piano: An instruction in sheet music to play softly. Abbreviated by a “p”.
Pitch: An instruction in sheet music to play softly. Abbreviated by a “p”.
Prelude: A short piece originally preceded by a more substantial work, also an orchestral
introduction to opera, however not lengthy enough to be considered an overture.
Relative major and minor: The major and minor keys that share the same notes in that
key.
Resonance: When several strings are tuned to harmonically related pitches, all strings
vibrate when only one of the strings is struck.
Rhythm: The element of music pertaining to time, played as a grouping of notes into
accented and unaccented beats.
Scale: Successive notes of a key or mode either ascending or descending.
Sharp: A symbol indicating the note is to be raised by one semitone.
Staff: Made up of five horizontal parallel lines and the spaces between them on which
musical notation is written.
Temperament: Refers to the tuning of an instrument.
Tenor Clef: The C clef when placed on the musical staff to indicate that middle C is on
the fourth line from the bottom of the staff. Symbol:
Time Signature: A numeric symbol in sheet music determining the number of beats to a
measure.
Treble Clef: The clef that establishes G a fifth above middle C as being on the second line
of the staff. Symbol:
Glossary
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Triple time: Time signature with three beats to the measure.
Tune: A rhythmic succession of musical tones, a melody for instruments and voices.
Tuning: The raising and lowering a pitch of an instrument to produce the correct tone of
a note.
Twelve-tone music: Music composed such that each note is used the same number of
times.
Unison: Two or more voices or instruments playing the same note simultaneously.
Whole note: A whole note is equal to 2 half notes, 4 quarter notes, 8 eighth notes, etc.
Add: repeat, measure
Resources
Resources
Cover:
Printable Colouring Pages. (n.d.). Retrieved April 22, 2015, from
http://printablecolouringpages.co.uk/?s=musical notes page border
Intro:
Music Theory. (n.d.). Retrieved April 22, 2015, from http://musictheoryblog.blogspot.com/
How to Read Sheet Music. (n.d.). Retrieved April 22, 2015, from
http://readsheetmusic.info/basics_of_counting_rhythms.shtml
How to Read Sheet Music: Step-by-Step Instructions. (2014, April 11). Retrieved April 22,
2015, from http://www.musicnotes.com/blog/2014/04/11/how-to-read-sheet-music/
Music Note Images. (n.d.). Retrieved April 27, 2015, from
http://www.freeallimages.com/music-note-images/
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Index
Index
provides, iii, 3, 4, 5
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