How is Music Written?

Carla Piper, Ed. D.

Writing the Sounds of Music

Rhythm

Melody

Harmony

The Staff - Rhythm

Divided into Equal PartsMusical TimelineBeginning to End

Bar Line MeasureMeasure

Time Signature

4 counts in each measureQuarter note (1/4) gets 1 count

Time Signature Bar Line Measure

44 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

Quarter Notes

4 counts in each measureQuarter note gets one count

Time Signature Bar Lines Double Bar Line

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

Rhythm

Whole Note – long sound - 4 beats long

Half Note – medium length - 2 beats long

Quarter Note – medium walking sound – 1 beat long

Eighth Note – short or fast running sound – ½ beat long

Staff Shows Pitch:High and Low Tones

Musical notes written on 5 lines and 4 spaces called the staff.

From bottom to top shows the pitch of the sound:Low to High Sounds

The Staff - Melody

5 Lines and 4 SpacesTells Pitch of ToneLow to High Pitch

12

34

5

12

34

Lines Spaces

The Musical Alphabet

a b c d e f gLines – e g b d fSpaces – f a c e

eg

bd

f

fa

ce

Lines Spaces

Musical Notes on the Staff

44

C D E F G A B C

C D E F G A B C