Music Symbols and Notation

Music Symbols and Notation 9th and 10th Grade Music Theory Class November 28th 2006 Mr. Haubert

Overview • This lesson will show you the basics of the different symbols and notations that are used in music, whether they be in instrumental or choral literature. • It is important to know the meanings and applications of these symbols in order to better understand music as an art form.

Some Basics • (a) Staff- the lines on which musical notation is written • (b) Bar Line- a line that separates the staff into measures • (c) Ledger Lines- lines that extend the staff up and down • (d) Double Bar Line- two lines that either can separate two sections of music, or end the piece A B C D

Some Basics • You will see these symbols in just about all pieces of music. • The Clef symbol will help indicate the voicing. Often times, the Treble Clef will be used for higher voices, and the Bass Clef for lower voices, but there are exceptions. • The Key Signature helps to identify which notes on the staff are raised and lowered, and the effect remains throughout unless an accidental cancels the effect. • The Time Signature sets what the rhythm of the music is. The top number identifies how many beats are in a measure, and the bottom number identifies what note value the beat is.

The Clef Symbols • The Treble Clef is also known as the “G Clef” because the curl in the symbol wraps around the line on the staff that is named G. • The Bass Clef is known as the “F Clef” because the two dots are centered on the line F.

Note Names • As you know, the musical alphabet uses the letters A-G. The lines and spaces of the Treble Clef and the Bass Clef are spelled differently. • For the Bass Clef from the bottom up • The lines are spelled GBDFA; Good Boys Do Fine Always • The spaces are spelled ACEG; All Cows Eat Grass • For the Treble Clef from the bottom up • The lines are spelled EGBDF; Every Good Boy Does Fine • The spaces spell the word FACE

Accidentals • Accidentals are symbols that precede notes and tell us to either raise or lower the pitch of the note. • (a.) Sharp- raises pitch by one half step • (b.) Flat- lowers pitch by one half step • (c.) Double Sharp- raises the pitch by two half steps, or one whole step • (d.) Double Flat- lowers the pitch by two half steps, or one whole step • (e.) Natural- cancels the effect of any other accidentals and makes the pitch sound unchanged. A B C D E

Dynamic Markings Dynamic markings are used to describe the volume, or rather the intensity of the volume of music. Pianissimo Mezzo-Piano Forte Piano Fortissimo Mezzo-Forte Softest Loudest

Dynamic Markings A • (a) Crescendo- a gradual increase in volume • (b) Diminuendo- a gradual decrease in volume • (c) Sforzando- a sudden increase in volume B C

Articulations • Sometimes, symbols are added to notes to give them a certain emphasis or length • (a) accent- the note is louder with a strong attack • (b) fermata- the note is held for an indefinite length • (c) staccato- the note is shorter and more detached sounding • (d) tenuto- the note is held for its full value and is slightly accented A B C D

Phrase Markings • Phrase markings help give shape to musical lines. • (a) Tie- a curved line that connects two notes of the same pitch to make them sound as one note. • (b) Slur- a curved line that connects two notes of different pitch so that there is no break between them. • It is possible to see both of these markings occur across bar lines A B

Repeating Symbols • Finally, there are some symbols that tell us to repeat sections of music. • (a) Repeat signs- play again what is in between the two markings • (b) 1st and 2nd endings- once you reach the last measure of the 1st ending you will usually see a repeat sign. Go back to repeat the material and when you come to the first measure of the 1st ending, skip ahead to the 2nd ending section A B

Repeating Symbols • (c) De Capo- Repeat from the beginning of the piece. • (d) Dal Segno- repeat from the Segno, or Sign • (e) Segno [Sign]- point at which a repeated section may begin at. This symbol usually occurs in the opening or middle sections of a piece. • (f) Coda- marks the place where you skip ahead to the final section of a piece. • Note: D.C. al Coda and D.S. al Coda are used sometimes. • Another common symbol is D.C. al fine or D.S. al fine, which means that the piece will end when you see the word Fine written in the music. C D E F

Quiz • The quiz on this material will be next Tuesday. You will not be allowed to use your notes on this quiz. Be prepared! • If you are confused on any of this material, it is your responsibility to come and bring me your questions. I will answer them to the best of my ability.

Announcements • Don’t forget to come and support your classmates who are performing in the Ohio Band Director’s Conference this weekend! • See you Thursday!

Reference slide • Material for this presentation was taken from Wikipedia.com and from the Dolmetsch Online Musical Dictionary. • http://www.dolmetsch.com/musicalsymbols.htm • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_musical_symbols

Music Symbols and Notation