Reading Sheet Music

Staff

5 Horizontal lines on sheet music

Staff

Treble Clef

The symbol indicating the beginning of sheet music

Treble Clef

Bar Line

Single vertical lines that divides the staff into measures

Bar Line

Measure

The space between two bar lines. Also called a bar. A segment that contains a specific number of beats defined by the time signature

Measure

Time Signature

Two numbers, one above the other to the right of the Clef at the beginning of a piece of music that tells you how many beats are in a measure

Time Signature

Top Number of Time Signature

The number of beats in one measure

Bottom Number of Time Signature

Indicates what type of note will receive one beat

Whole Note

Indicates that the note should be held for 4 beats. Looks like an oval shaped "O"

Whole Note

Half Note

Indicates that the note should be held for 2 beats. Looks like a hollow "O" with a vertical line coming out of the right side

Half Note

Quarter Note

Indicates that the note should be held for 1 beat. Looks like a filled in "O" with a vertical line coming out of the right side

Quarter Note

Double Bar Line

Two vertical lines indicating a transition to another section of the song

Double Bar Line

Final Bar Line

Bold double bar lines at the end of a piece of sheet music to indicate the end of the song

Final Bar Line

Staff Line Names (Bottom to Top)

E G B D F

Space Names on a Staff (Bottom to Top)

F A C E

E

G

B

D

F

F

A

C

E