How to Read Sheet Music (Notation) for Guitar

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How to Read Sheet Music (notation) for Guitar This guide will give you a good introduction to reading music notation - a guide for students learning a 6-string guitar (electric, acoustic & classical).

Labelled diagram of music notation:

The diagram below is an example of music notation using the treble clef stave that 6-string guitarists use:

Treble Clef Up Stroke This bracketed area is a bar Key Signature Down stroke ≤ ≥ #3 & 4 œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ Time Signature These 5 horizontal Bar line End bar line lines are a ‘stave’ (at the end of a piece)

Notes on the stave

The diagram on the right is a Treble Clef or G Clef - it is called this as it surrounds the ‘G’ line. Now you know where the note G is you can count up (G, A, B, C etc) and down (G, F, E, D etc) the spaces and lines to find out where the other notes are. It is & w G line also important to mention that the musical alphabet goes from notes A to G. G Treble Clef/G Clef œ œ œ & œ œ œ œ ÚÚÚÚÚ D E F G A B C 7

Here are some easy ways to help you remember where the notes on the stave are: & ÚÚÚÚÚÚÚÚ Spaces Lines 15 w w w w & w w & w w & F ÚÚÚÚÚÚÚÚA C E wE G B D F

23This spells ‘FACE’ Rhyme: Every Green Bus Drives Fast

You& will alsoÚÚÚÚÚÚÚÚ see notes that go above and below the stave. For these notes we use ledger lines to show us the pitch of the note. For example: 31 w w w w w w & & ÚÚÚÚÚÚÚÚw w w w w w w 39 E F G A B C D G A B C D E

& ÚÚÚÚÚÚÚÚ

& ÚÚÚÚÚ Guitar Fingerboard (Standard Notation) Note Finder

6 5 4 3 2 1 String Numbers 6 5 4 3 2 w1 w w Open & w w w w E A D G B E Strings & w w w w & w w w w w w w w w w w & #bww w w A# D# G# #bww b w w w F C F 1st Fret & #bww b w #bww w w Bb Eb Ab & w b w #bww #bww w & w #bww #bww # w w #bww b w #bww & w # w #bww F# C# F# w #bww #bww B E A 2nd Fret & b w w w w #bww # w Gb Db Gb & #bww w w w # w & #bww w w #bww w w b w w w A# & w # w w w G C F D G 3rd Fret & w w #bww w w Bb & w w w #bww w & w w w # w w w #bww w #bww #bww G# C# F# D# G# & #bww #bww #bww B 4th Fret & #bww #bww w #bww #bww Ab Db Gb Eb Ab & #bww #bww #bww w # w & #bww #bww #bww #bww #bww w w w w 5th Fret & w w w w A D G C E A & w w w w w & w w w w & w w w w #bww b w w #bww A# D# G# C# A# b w # w w #bww 6th Fret & b w #bww #bww w #bww Bb Eb Ab Db F Bb & # w #bww #bww w # w & #bww #bww #bww #bww & #bww #bww #bww #bww # w b w w w #bww w F# & w w #bww w B E A D B 7th Fret & w w w w #bww w Gb & w w w w & w w w w w w #bww w w A# D# & #bww #bww w w C F G C 8th Fret & w w #bww #bww w Bb Eb & w #bww #bww & w w #bww w b w #bww w #bww #bww C# F# G# C# w #bww #bww B E 9th Fret & b w #bww w w #bww # w Db Gb Ab Db & # w #bww w w & #bww #bww w w #bww w w w w w w w D G C F A D 10th Fret & w w w w w & w w w w & w w w #bww w #bww #bww #bww D# G# C# F# A# D# 11th Fret b w #bww #bww & #bww #bww #bww #bww #bww Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb #bww b w #bww #bww #bww & #bww #bww #bww # w & #bww #bww w # w w w w E A D G B E 12th Fret w w w w & w w w w w & w w w w & w w R & w w

Here are the most common note lengths:

This is a Semibreve j(or wholer note) - it lasts j This ris a Quaver (or eighth note) - it lasts for w for 4 beats˙ œ œ œ w ˙ œ œ halfœ a beat. You will also see quavers grouped as follows: œœœœ œœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœ This is a jMinim (orr half note) - it lasts for 2 w ˙ beatsœ œ œ

Thisj is a rCrotchet (or quarter note) - it lasts j r This is a Semiquaver (or sixteenth note) - it w ˙ œ œfor 1 beatœ w ˙ œ œ œ lasts for a quarter of a beat You will also see semiquavers œœœœgroupedœœœœ asœœ follows:œœœœœœœœœœœ œœœœœœœœœœœœœœ

Here is a handy chart which explains the breakdown of note lengths:

j r Semibreve (whole note) w ˙ œ œ 4 beatsœ

Minim (1/2 note) j r 2j beats eachr You can fit 2 of these in a semibreve w ˙ œ œ w œ ˙ œ œ œ

Crotchet (1/4 note) j r j r j r j1 beat reach You can fit 4 of these in a semibrevew ˙w œ œ˙ wœœ œ ˙w œœ œ˙ œ œ œ

Quaver (1/8 note) 1/2 a beat each You can fit 8 of these in a semibreve œ œ œ œœœœœ œœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœ œœœœœœ œœœœ

Semiquaver (1/16 note) 1/4 of a beat each You can fit 16 ofœ theseœ in aœ semibreveœœœœœ œœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœ œ œœœœœœœ œœœœ

If you see a dot after a note this extends the length of the note by half of its value. For example:

A dotted semibreve (dottedj wholer note) is worth A dotted crotchet (dotted 1/4 note) is worth 1 w 6 beats˙ (4 beats,œ plusœ the dotœ which is 2 beats = andj a 1/2r beats (1 beat, plus the dot which is 6 beats) w ˙ œ œ1/2 a beatœ = 1 and a 1/2 beats)

A dotted minim (dotted 1/2 note) is worth 3 A dotted quaver (dotted 1/8 note) is worth 3/4 of beats (2 jbeats, plusr the dot which is 1 beat = 3 j a beatr (1/2 a beat, plus the dot which is 1/4 of a w ˙ beats)œ œ œ w ˙ œ œ beatœ = 3/4 of a beat)

Here is an example of music with dotted notes in: 4 j j &4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ w 1 ™ 2 + 3 4 1 2 ™ 3 4 1 2 ™ 3 ™ 4 + 1 2 3 4

Rhythms - Rests

Where there is a gap in a piece of music you will see symbols called ‘rests’ which tell you how long to stop playing for. Here’s a chart to show rests and their time values:

Note Beats Equivalent Rest Name of Rest ∑ ∑

Semibreve rest (suspended from the 4th line)

4 j r ∑ w ˙ œ œ œ ∑ Note:Œ the ‰semibreve rest≈ also acts∑ as™ a ‘whole∑ bar™ rest’ Œ™ ‰™ ≈™

2 Minim rest (mounted on the 3rd line) ∑ j r ∑ w ˙ œ œ œ ∑ Œ ‰ ≈ ∑™ ™ Œ™ ‰™ ≈™

j r 1 Crotchet rest ∑ w ˙ œ œ œ ∑ Œ ‰ ≈ ∑™ ∑ ™ Œ™ ‰™ ≈™

j r 1/2 Quaver rest ∑ w ˙ œ œ œ ∑ Œ ‰ ≈ ∑™∑ ™ Œ™ ‰™ ≈™

j r 1/4 Semiquaver rest ∑ w ˙ œ œ œ∑ Œ ‰ ≈ ∑™ ∑ ™ Œ™ ‰™ ≈™

j r

6 Dotted semibreve rest ∑ ∑ w Œ ˙ ‰ œ œ ≈ œ ∑∑ ™ ™ Œ™ ‰™ ≈™

j 3 r Dotted minim rest ∑ ∑ w Œ ˙‰ œ œ≈ œ ∑∑ ™ ™ Œ™ ‰™ ≈™

j r1 1/2 Dotted crotchet rest ∑ ∑ Œ w ‰ ˙ ≈œ œ ∑™œ∑ ™ Œ™ ‰™ ≈™

3/4 Dotted quaver rest ∑ ∑ j r ∑ Œ ‰ w ≈˙ œ∑™œ œ ™ Œ™ ‰™ ≈™ j r 3/8 Dotted semiquaver rest ∑ Œ ‰ w ≈ ˙ ∑™œ œ œ™ Œ™ ‰™ ≈™

Note: A semibreve rest is also used as a ‘whole bar rest’ in any time signature (time signatures are

R explained on page 6)

A tie joins two notes of exactly the same pitch together to extend the length of the note. You will see ties over bar lines or sometimes within the bar to keep the grouping of the notes correct making the music easier to read. You play the first note and hold it on for the full duration of the two tied notes. For example:

q = 60 A tempo rit. U 4 Œ &4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ ˙ œ123 4 + 1 2 + œ3 4 12œ 3 4 1 23˙ 4

The 2nd and 3rd notes are tied across the half The last note (crotchet) in bar 3 is tied to the bar (middle of the bar), so instead of playing two first note (mimim) in bar 4 so this would last crotchets you would add these together for 3 beats. therefore making the note 2 beats long.

Pauses The symbol above the last noterit. in the above example is a ‘pause’ - this means that you sustain this note - the length of the pause is at the performers discretion. You often see pausesU at the ends of phrases and/or at the end of a 4 piece of music. Œ &4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ ˙ œ123 4 + 1 2 + œ3 4 12œ 3 4 1 23˙ 4 Rit. Rall. & Riten. The marking above bar 3 is a ritardando (rit.) which means to gradually slow down in tempo (speed). You will also notice that there is either a line or dots after a rit. which indicates how long the gradual tempo change should last. For example: r it. You will sometimes see rallentando (rall.) which is an alternative marking for for the same tempo change. There is also RitenutoU (Riten.) which is fairly similar apart from it means to slow down 4 the tempoŒ immediately rather than gradually. &4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ ˙ œ123 4 + 1 2 + œ3 4 12œ 3 4 1 23˙ 4 Accelerando You may also see accel. (accelerando) marked above the stave which requires you to gradually speed up. This too usually has a line or dots after the marking to specifiy the length of this tempo change. For example: accel.

Tempo Markings At the beginning of a piece of music the tempo is normally stated - please see our example above where the tempo is q = 60 . The composer/arrangerA tempo marks this tempo so that the performer knows how fast to play the piece. The number states how many ‘beats per minute’ and the note value states the type of beat - i.e in our example above there are ‘60 crotchet beats per minute’. Most performers will use a metronome where you can simply select the beats per minute and then it will sound a pluse at this tempo for you to play along with (note: metronomes are only used whilst preparing pieces of music and not during performances).

A Tempo ‘A Tempo’ usually appears after a tempo (speed) change, such as a Rit. or Accel. ‘A Tempo’ means return to the original tempo which is usually stated at the beginning of a piece of music. Here is an exampleq = 60 of the ‘A Tempo’ sign: A tempo

At the start of a piece of music you will see a set of two numbers, one on top of the other. This is called the time signature and this tells you how to count within that piece of music.

The top number tells you how many beats are in a bar # 4 & #4 ∑ The bottom number tells you the type of beats, ie crotchets (quarter notes), minims (half notes), etc. This number is how many of the type of beat you can fit into a semibreve - ie minim would be 2, quaver would be 8, etc

Here is our handy chart from earlier to help you understand how many of each type of beat fits into a semibreve:

j r Semibreve (whole note) w ˙ œ œ œ

Minim (1/2 note) j r j r You can fit 2 of these in a semibreve w ˙ œ œ w œ ˙ œ œ œ

Crotchet (1/4 note) j r j r j r j r You can fit 4 of these in a semibrevew ˙w œ œ˙ wœœ œ ˙w œœ œ˙ œ œ œ

Quaver (1/8 note) You can fit 8 of these in a semibreve œ œ œ œœœœœ œœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœ œœœœœœ œœœœ

- There are 2 beats in a bar 2 Semibreve (whole note) beats per bar 2 - Semibreve (whole note) beats 1 = 2 &w1 w œ œ ˙ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œw ww 1 2 w 1 + œ 2 œ +˙ 1 œ + œ 2˙ 1 œ 2œ œ œw ww

- There are 2 beats in a bar 2 minim (1/2 note) beats per bar 2 ∑∑3 4 ∑ c ∑∑∑2 - Minim (1/2 note)C beats 6= ∑∑3 4 4 4 2 (‘2’ refers to minim beats as this is how8 many of that type8 of beat you can fit into a semibreve) 2 &2 ˙ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œw 12 1 + 2 + 12+ 12 2/2 is also known2 as2 ‘cut-common3 3 time’,4 and4 can be written as either2 2 or 6 6 3 3 4 ∑∑4 4∑∑4 4 4∑ ∑c c∑∑∑∑∑∑2 2 C C 8 8∑∑8∑∑8

- There are 2 beats in a bar 2 crotchet (1/4 note) beats per bar 2 -∑∑ Crotchet3 (1/4 note) beats4 =∑ c ∑∑∑2 C 6 ∑∑3 4 (‘4’ refers4 to crotchet beats4 as this is how many of that type of beat you2 can fit into a semibreve) 8 8

2 &4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ 12 1 + 2 + 1 2 + 1 2

- There are 3 beats in a bar 2 3 4 3 crotchet 2(1/4 note) beats per bar 6 3 4 ∑∑4 - Crotchet (1/44 note) beats∑ c= ∑∑∑2 C 8 ∑∑8 3 &4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙™ 1231+ 2 312 + 3 + 1 23

MUSIC www.dsmusic.com Page 7 © Copyright 2014 DS Music - There are 4 beats in a bar 2 3 4 2 4 crotchet (1/4 note) beats per bar6 3 4 ∑∑4 4 - Crotchet∑ (1/4c note) beats∑∑∑ 2= C 8 ∑∑8 4 &4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œw 12341+ 2 3 + 4 123 + 4 1234 4/4 is also known as ‘common time’, and2 can2 be3 written3 as either4 4 or 2 2 6 6 3 3 4 ∑∑4 4∑∑4 4 4∑ ∑c c∑∑∑∑∑∑2 2 C C 8 ∑∑8 8∑∑8

- There are 3 beats in a bar 3 quaver (1/8 note) beats per bar 2 ∑∑3 4 ∑ c ∑∑∑2 C 6 ∑∑3 - Quaver (1/8 note) beats = 4 4 4 2 8 8 (‘8’ refers to quaver beats as this is how many of that type of beat you can fit into a semibreve) 3 j &8 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ™ 123123 123 + 1 23

- There are 6 beats in a bar 2 3 4 2 6 3 6 quaver (1/8 note) beats per bar 4 ∑∑4 4 ∑ c ∑∑∑2 C 8 - Quaver∑∑ (1/88 note) beats = 6 &8 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ™ œ™ œ œ œ ˙™ 123456 1 23+ 4 56 1234 56 1 23456

Note: It is important to mention that the above 6/8 time signature is grouped in 2 dotted crotchet (2 dotted 1/4 notes) beats per bar which helps you to play more lyrically - this is counted 123, 456 with beats 1 and 4 being emphasised. This also applies to 3/8 which is grouped as 1 dotted crotchet (dotted 1/4 note) beat per bar for the same reason - this is counted 123 with beat 1 emphasised.

If you play all the notes we have mentioned in the ‘Notes on the Stave’ section on page 1, you will notice that you haven’t used all of the frets on your guitar, so what are the rest for? Well, these are the in-between notes (the same as the black notes on a piano) - the sharps # andb flats#n b n

Sharps - If you see these either in a key signature or before a note in a piece of music this # meansb to raisen that note by half a step (semitone) - move up one fret. Flats - If you see these either in a key signature or before a note in a piece of music this # b meansn to lower that note by half a step (semitone) - move down one fret. Naturals - You may see a natural sign to cancel out a previous accidental (sharp or flat), or if it is altering an accidental from the key signature. A natural could be raising or lowering depending on whether the note was sharp or flat before. If it was sharp then the natural # b n will lower the note by half a step (semitone) - down one fret, or if the note was flat then the natural will raise the note by half a step (semitone) - up one fret.

When sharps or flats are seen in the key signature (you will not see both at once) then those sharp/flat signs apply throughout the whole piece of music (unless otherwise altered within the music score). For example:

# #4 b b4 & # 4 &b b 4 This key signatureThis means means that that all F,all C & G's in this pieceThis will key be signature sharThisp means means that that all all B, E, A & D's in this piece will be flat F’s, C’s & G’s in this piece are sharp B’s, E’s, A’s & D’s in this piece are flat (raise by half a step) (lower by half a step)

If you see sharps, flats or naturals directly before a note then they effect that particular note and last from their marking for the duration of that bar only and for just that particular note (unless they are cancelled out by another accidental). For example:

4 etc.etc. &4 œ #œ œ œ œ #œ œ œ nœ This G would This G sharp has been alsoThis be G shar is alsop sharp due to cancelledThis out G# by is thecancelled natural the G# accidental 2 notes out by the natural previous

For a list of all the notes on the guitar shown on the stave and on the guitar fretboard please see our ‘guitar fingering chart’ on page 2.

bw w # w <#>w & w w

# nw w & # w <#>w

bw w nw w bb w w # # w <#>w & b w & # bw w b b w w # nw w &b b ## # w <#>w bw n w bw w & w & & w < >w w w w b b bw n w # &b b b bw w w< >bww w ## # nw w # #w <#>w w <#>w & # w <#>w & & w w w w ∫w n w bb b b w < >w # nw w & b b w ## # # w <#>w ## n#w # wnw w & # w & & w# < >w w <#>w b ∫w w b bb b ww bw # b bw w bw w & #b bbw nw w#wwnw w ## # # nw w b b bbw w w w & ## w #w<#n>w< >w w <#>w & # # w <#>w & & b w & & # Key Signatures bw w w bw w w w n w bw w A key signature is aw combinationw of sharps or flats found at the start of a piece wof music (afterw the clef) which b b b wb < >w w w # # w <#n>ww w w w w &b b &b b indicates& #the# key# to play# in.##w A key# signaturew nw tells# wyou which notes& (byb their placement on the stave) are consistently played& ‘sharp’ or ‘flat’& (this# wapplies< >tow thew note < at> wany octave). For example:

This is the key signature for D Major. This is the key signature for Bb Major. w It has 2 sharpsw - F# & C#. This means It has 2 flats - Bb & Eb. This means b b b bbw n w bw w ## nw # w b bw w &b b b &b b bw < >w w w & # ## thatw #any<#n >F’sww & C’sw in this piece wof &b thatw anyB’sw & E’s in this piece of & # # music# will#w #be sharpened# w nw (raised# w by musicw will be flattened (lowered by half& a stepw (semitone))< >w w < >w half a step (semitone)) bw ∫w w∫w w nw w b b w w w w n w Apart# from# telling youw what<# >keyw the music is in, a key signature cuts down on the amount of written accidentals within &b bb b b wb b wb w w < >w the music.# You# may wsee then wkeyw signaturewbwnw changeww part way through a piece of music, this is because as a piece of & b b &b b b & ## # # # ##w# <#>www n #ww music& progresses# it is& common# w# for the composerww < > tow change key to create a new mood. bw w & & w w bw w Each major and minor key has an allocated key signature. Here is a diagram of the major keys with their key b w w signature and their relative minor keys (the minor key with the same key signature). In the outer ring of the circle you bb w ∫w w w will find# # the major keysnw with thew relativebw minor keysw in the inner circle: &b bb bb b bb b b w w∫w bw # # # w## <#>w ww <#>w bw w bw w w & b b& b b bw w w < >w & # # ## &#w# #n#w # wwnw w & & w w w w # bw # w & # & #w# < >w w <#>w w < >w bw w bw wbw w & & w wbww bwwww w w nbww wn w b bw w & w bwww nww n&w && ww wwwwww b bb w w # # # ww w && & www <<>w>ww# < >w b#w # w bww # wn w & b w # ## nww# #nww wnw w# w &w < >w ww < >w & b &bw << >>ww w w C w & & # nw w & & # bw # w bw bwbw ww & # w <#>w w wbwww bwwww w# # # w <#>ww #w ∫w n w F & a min### # Gwww <#<<>##w>w>ww <#&>w & bwww< >ww bb b b w < >w bw w # nw w nw w &&& & w &# w <#>w & b b bb w w ## # # w# #<#>w w d w e min # &n#w w nww w w & b w & b# bbw# w w w & b# bw#w <#n>ww w <#>w # nw # w &b &bw w bw n w &b b & w < >w w ## w < >w & w w w < >w # nw w # nw w w & b g min # w # wb minww w # # # w #nwwnw ww w bw w B & #### w##nww #n#wwwD#&w &# #w < >www <#>w bb b b ∫bw bw w w # b bw w b&&w& # &w www <<<>#w>>ww < >w &nw# wnwnww ww & b b b b bwb < >w w ## # # n#w# bwb nwbbw ww w w # # &#bww## <#>w ww <#><#w>w & & # # w#&#<#>w &w b<#>w w & b#b & #w w w # nw w bw &w bw wbwnw w w &b b nw wnw w ## # w # w bb w wwbw bwww wb b b w# # nbwww wwn w<#n>wnww nwwww w# # # #w #nwww #ww & w < >w & b bbb wb bwww ncnw wminw &n wb b &b b b w# < >ww#w##w# nwwwf## min#wwww # w # # ## w < >www<#>w &&bbbbbb&b bEwwwb <<>>ww < >w &bwb b&w bwbw#w# ##nww## www <<<>#>ww>ww <&>Aw &## nww # w b b bw w & w w b b &bbwbb w &&&ww<#n><&w>w &## w w < >ww &b b b w w w ##w&# b b &nwb b w # ## &# #nb#ww # ww nw # w &b bw &w # # w # w bw wbw w &bb#b & # ww ww w < >w # b w wbw bwww w w < >w w nbwww nww & b b w < >w ## # nw w b bb b w bwww nww n wbb b bbb b#w##< >wwwww # w # # # # nw wnw ww & # w <#>w & bbbb b b www<<>>wwf min<&>w b &b b # bw## ww# c<#n >wminnww nwwww w # # # # w #nwww w# w w ∫w w &&bbbbbb&b b b w & b bb& #w####w#w# # wnww #<##ww>ww&# w# &# ## w < >www <#>ww b b w w & Ab b b &bbbbbww w&&&bw# &w www <<>w>Ewww < >w&# ## w nw # w &b b bb w b bw # #w&#b b b &nwb b#bww w w w # ## &# #∫n##ww nwwnww w &b w w## bb / wa# min< >w ab / g# min &bb#b #b # w#w <#>ww w # w # nw w b bww& ww bw wbw w & b b & w < >w w < >w ## # # w <#>w b bb w bww wwwb bwb b b b# w# nbww wn w # # & # w & b bbbbbbb bwb bbwww Dnbnwwww&nb wb b&b b bebb /# dw# min< >#w#w ww wB ## # # ### #nw wnw ww &&&bbbbb&bbbb b b www <<>w>ww < >w& b∫bw&b w#∫#bw##w#w### n#ww#w# <#n>wnnwww nwwww& w #&# ## #w <#n>ww #w b b b ∫w w b bCb #&bbbbwbb w&&&ww# &#<#n#<>w>wC# bwww <#<>##ww>ww <#>w &#n#w# ww nwnwwwww &b b b b w w # #&#b b b &nwb b b w ww < #>ww## # &# ###w∫## # wwww #<#w>w ∫w w# ## # w #Gw b∫wF# ∫ww w &bb#bb #b & # w# w< >wbwww < >ww # b b w&∫www ∫www bww < >bw w ∫n www wn w w& b b w < >w ## # # nw w &b b bb bb b bw ∫www nww bn wbb b bbbbb#b#w #∫< >wwwwww# w w # # # # nw nwnw ww & # # w <#>w &bbbbbbbbbbbb bb b www <<>w>w&< >w&b&bb b b b# #####w## #nww# nwnwww n#wwww #w# ## ### ## #w <#>ww<#>w && b&bb b b bb bb&∫bw w#∫#w#w######< >#ww# # www <#<<>#w>w>ww&<#>w&#&# ## # # nww ww R b & b b &w ## w# w # # w &b b bwb &b wb bb w &w w& w # # # # ## n#w# w w < >ww b b w bw w # ## # &# # w## # w nw # w w b b ∫&w w w w & & #w < >w w < >w w n w b MUSICb b www.dsmusic.comw bw wwbb bwb b b bPageb# ∫10w b∫ww∫w ww © Copyright 2014 DS Music b < >w & b bbbbbbbbbbbbb b wb <∫∫>∫www b∫&wbww bb&bw&bb b bbb##b# w# <#>wwwnww # ## ## ## ## #nw wnw ww & &&&bbbb&bbbbbbb b b www <<>>ww < >w b b&b b #######∫#w#w## #w#w#<#n>wnnww wnww& #w#&## ## ### #w <#>nwww #w &b b b b &&## &#w######w# # www<#<<>##w>>ww <#>w&# ## ##w w nwww< >ww b w & ww w &w # n#w# w n w <#>w b bw n w &b b < >w < >w & w < >w w & b bw w w n w w w www ww &b w w b ww wnwww wb b w w w & bb b w >ww w &&b w ww &&&b & b w bb &bwb w bw w & & w w w w b w b b bw n w w bb bbbbw bwbw ww & bbbb wbbbwwbww bnwwww &w &&b w www &&&b & www >www w bb bww ww w & w w bw w & w w bw w & w w bw w # w <#>w bw w & # w <#>w & w w

# nw w & # w <#>w # nw w & # w <#>w b bw w nw w b b w w # # w <#>w bw w nw w & & # bb w w # # w <#>w & b w & # w bw w b b w w # nw w bw w &b b ## # w <#>w b w w & w w b bb w # ## nw w & & # w <#>w b bw w b bb w w # # w bw w & b w # ## nw # w bb b w n w # & w < >w & b b w < >w ## # nw w & # w <#>w ∫w w b b w w w ∫w w &b b bb w # # # nw # w b w n w # ## w < >w b bb b w < >w # # nw w & & b # # # w <#>w The sharps or flats in a key signature are always written in the same order: & # b b b ∫w w bw w &b b b b w w # # # Sharps,nw will alwaysw go in this order: & b wFlats willw∫ alwaysw gow in this order: # # # F, C, G, wD, A, #E,w B b b b B, E, A, D,w G, C,b Fw # & # w < >w & b b b w < >w ## # # nw w & # # w <#>w An easy way to remember the order of sharps is by You may spot bthatw this isw simply the reverse of the order using the following rhyme: of# sharps, so to wremember# w this we can just reverse the w w w < >w w w &rhyme: w &b w w n w Father Battle &b < >w Charles Ends Goes A#nd nw w & # w <#>w Downbb bw w Down &nd w w b w A w w Goes b bw n w Ends harles’s & w < >w b bw w C nw w Battleb b w w F#ather# w <#>w & & # bw w & w w bw w Howb to work outw whatw key you are in... w b bb w # ## nw # w bw w & & # w < >w # w <#>w Major Keys: & If the keyb b signature hasb wsharps, wthen go to the last sharp bGow to thew last sharp which is A#, then go and& gob bupb half a step (semitone)w w to find the major key. &# ## upw nhalfwaw stepw (semitone) to B and this is w For example if you have the following key signature: # # yourw major# keyw - B major. # nw w & w < >w & # w <#>w ∫w w bw w If the key signature has flats,w ngow to the penultimate flat # Gow to the# w penultimate flat which is Eb bb b b w < >w # wnw< >ww w bnww ww and& thatb isb your major key. For example if you have the &#b # # andbw thiswn isw< #your>w major key - Eb major. & # ww ww following key signature: b# # ww< >w w # w < >w & b w & # w bw w b b b ∫w w ## nwbw # ww # w <#>w Minor&b b Keys:b b w w &#b#b# # wwn>ww w & # w w &b#b # # w <#>w ## # nw # w Find out the name of the major key and then go down 3 This keyw signature has sharps so if we & w < >w half steps (3 semitones) to get to your relative minor key. look at the last sharp which is G#, then b bw w ngow up halfw a step (semitone) to get to the For example if you havew then wfollowing key signature: # # majorw key# w - A major. Then we simply go w &b b w < >w # wwbw< >ww w ## nw # w &bb b wdownw <3n >halfwn stepsw (semitones) to get to & # w < >w &b b b the relativew w< minor>w - f# minor. ## # nw w & # w <#>w bw w An exampleb b of this usingw aw key signature: Thisbw key signaturew w has flats so go to the nw w b #b # penultimatewn∫wwn w flatww which is Eb, that is your # w # w & b &bb#b # www< >w<#>nww ## w < >w &bbbb b bmajorw w wkeyw -< Eb>w major. Then we simply & # # nw w &b b gow down w3 half steps (semitones) to get # # # w <#>w tow the relative minor - c minor. & # w b bw w bw n w b bb w w b#b #b w < >ww # # nw w & R b w & b#b # nw∫w w w # # w <#>w &b bb#b w w<#>ww & # # w w & b b w w # # ## nw # w MUSIC www.dsmusic.com Page 11 © Copyright 2014 DS Music& # w < >w ∫w w b w w bw w &b bbbb w b#b #b nw n w # # & #b #b## w <#>w # # nw w & & # w w n w<#>w &b < >w w ∫w w bb b b ∫w bw b b b w w nw w & b b b w < >w &b##b##b # nw w # ## # w # w & # # w <#>w & # # w < >w bb bw w & w w w bb b b w ∫ww bw & b b b w ww < >w #### # nw w &b & # # w <#>w

w w bb bw w w w & w w &b

bb bw w & w w Dynamics

Dynamics tell you how loud or soft to play a section of music. Here is a table of dynamics from quietest to loudest:

Symbol Italian English Definition

pp p mppianissimo mf f ff Very quiet pp p mp mfpiano f ff Quiet pp p mp mf fmezzo ffpiano Moderately quiet pp p mp mf f ff mezzo forte Moderately loud pp p mp mf f ff forte Loud pp p mp mf f ff fortissimo Very Loud pp p mp mf f ff crescendo Gradually becoming louder pp p mp mf f ff diminuendo / decrescendo Gradually becoming quieter

You will see dynamic markings underneath the stave and they may change throughout the piece of music as seen in the below example:

4 &4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ˙ pœ p˙ ™ œ mp

5 U & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ ˙ ffœ ˙ œ ˙

˙ œ ˙

œ ™

œ œ

& œ œ œ œ ˙ ˙ œ œ

œ ˙

20 19 18 17 16

œ ˙ ˙

œ ™

œ œ œ

œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ 23 45& 6 œ œ œ ™

4 œNavigation - Repeats, Daœ Capo,œ ˙ Dal Segno & Codasœ

15 14 13 &4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ ˙ œ œ 12 œ œ œ œ

œ To save writing out˙ lots of repeatedœ music within a piece youœ will see various symbols to˙ tell you where to navigate to

within the music - Repeats, Da Capo, Dal Segno & Codas being the most common ways.

˙ œ

œ œ œ œ ™ ™

œ œ œ œ

œ œ œ ™

˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ 789101& 1 œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ

Repeat Marks ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ 1 01 91 & 78

œ œ™ œœ œ ˙ ˙ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œœ œ

If you need to go back to the beginning of the music you will see one repeat mark at the end of the section they want

˙ œ ˙

you to repeat up to. For example: œ

™

œ œ œ

œ œ

23œ 4 & œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ 12 13 14 154 œ œ œ œ ˙ 234 4 4

&4 ™ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ˙ ™ 6 45 & œ 4 œ œ œ œ 23 œ ˙ 4 ™œ œ œ œ œœ œ˙ ˙ œ œ œ™œœ™ œœ œ ˙ ™ & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ™ œ ˙ ™ 16 17 18 19 20 5678 ˙ 56œ 78 & ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ etc.etc. &œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ™ œ œ˙ œ ˙ etc. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ ˙ & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ ˙ ˙ So in the above example you would play bars 1-4, then go back to the beginning and repeat bars 1-4, then continue past the repeat mark on to bar 5 and onwards.

If you need to go back to a specific point within the music then you will see two sets of repeat marks to show you the exact section: 23 45 6 23 45 6 23 45 6 4 &4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ &4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ™œœ œ ˙ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ™œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ 7891011 7891011 7891011 œ & œ œ œ ˙ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ & œ œ™ œœ œ ˙ ˙ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œœ œ & œ œ™ œ ˙ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ 12 13 14 15 12 13 14 15 12 13 14 15 ™ œ œ œ & œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ & œ œ ˙ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ™ œ œ œ 16 ˙ 17 œ 18 19 ˙ 20 ™ œ 16 17 18 19 20 16 17 18 19 20 & ˙ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ & ˙ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ™ œ œ œ ˙ ˙ & ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ™ œ ˙ In this example you would play bars 1-13, then you would jump back to the start repeat mark at bar 9 and repeat bars 9-12, then continue past the repeat mark on to bar 13 and onwards.

Another way to cut down on writing out excess music is to have a 1st time ending and a 2nd time ending. When you reach the end of the 1st time ending you will see a repeat mark which will either send you back to the beginning, or another repeat mark: 1. 1. 23 4 23 4 4 &4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ˙ ™ &4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ™ œ ˙ ™

2. 2. 5678 5678 œ œ etc.etc. & œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ etc. & œ œ œ ˙ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ In this example the first time you play you would play bars 1-4, then follow the repeat marks back to bar 1. Then you would play bars 1-2, but then instead of playing the 1st time ending (bars 3-4) you would play the 2nd time ending (bars 5-6), then continue on through the music.

Da Capo, Dal Segno & Codas

Da Capo al Fine means 'from the beginning to the end' (‘Fine’ means end). In this case you would play from bar 1 to 16 then where you see ‘Da Capo al Fine’ you go back to the beginning and then when you come across the the word 'Fine' this is where you would finish playing. For example: 4 & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ 4 œ œ œ ˙ œ œ™œ œ œ œ ˙

7 Fine & œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ

12 Da Capo al Fine & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ ˙ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ™ œ ˙

7 & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œœ œ ˙ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œœ œ Da Capo al Coda means 'from the beginning to the coda'. Here you would go back to the beginning as stated and then where you see the words 'to coda' or the following12 symbol ﬁ thenTo Cod youa would jump to the CodaDa which Capo al willCod abe a separate section at the end of the music and will have the coda symbol at the start of it. For example: & œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ™ œ œ œ ˙ ˙

17 ﬁ Coda 4 œ œ œ œ œ w 4 œ & œœœ œœ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ™œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙

7 œ œ œ œ œ œ & œ œ™ œœ œ ˙ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œœ œ

12 ﬁ To Coda Da Capo al Coda œ & œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ™ œ œ œ ˙ ˙

17 ﬁ Coda œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ w & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ

4 &4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ™œ œ œ œ ˙ 7 Dal Segno means ‘from the sign’ and is often abbreviated to D.S. The ‘sign’ looks like this % When you see the words 'Dal Segno' or D.S. then you need to go back and find this sign and repeat from there. & œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ If there are no other instructions then you would play this straight throughœ œ™ œto the end. For˙ example: œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ 12 Fine & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ 4 œ ˙ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ™œ ˙ œ 4 œ œ œ 18˙ œ & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ™œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ & œ œ œ ˙ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ™ œ œ 22 8 Dal Segno al Fine % & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ™ œ ˙ & œ œ™ œœ œ ˙ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ

16 œ œ œ ˙ & œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ™ œ ˙ Dal Segno œ & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ™ œ œ œ ˙ ˙

MUSIC www.dsmusic.com Page 15 © Copyright 2014 DS Music Dal Segno al Fine means 'from the sign to the end'. In this case when you see D.S. go back to the sign and then when you come across the word 'Fine' finish playing. For example: 4 4 œ œ œ ˙ œ & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ™œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ 7 % & œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ 12 Fine œ œ & œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ™œœ œ ˙ ˙ œ œ œ œ 18 œ œ ˙ œ & œ œ œ ˙ œ œ™ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ 22 Dal Segno al Fine

& œ œ œ ˙ œ œ™ œ œ œ ˙ ˙ 4 &4 œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ™œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙

7 & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œœ œ ˙ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œœ œ Dal Segno al Coda means 'from the sign to the coda'. When you see D.S. go back to the sign and then when you see the words 'to coda' or the following12 symbol ﬁ Tojump Cod ato the Coda. The Coda is aDa separate Capo al Cod sectiona at the end of the music and will have the coda symbol at the start of it. For example: & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ™ œ ˙

17 4 ﬁ Coda œ ˙ &4 œ œ œ œ œ œ & œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ w œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ™œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ ˙

7 % & œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ

12 ﬁ To Coda Dal Segno al Coda & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ ˙ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ™ œ ˙

17 ﬁ Coda œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ w & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ