1. Note Heads and Stem DirectionNote_Heads_and_Stem_Direction.html
3. Applying AccidentalsApplying_Accidentals.html
2. BarringBarring.html
5. Rhythm Slashes and the Drum SetRhythm_Slashes_and_the_Drum_Set.html
6. More on Time SignaturesMore_on_Time_Signatures.html
7. Other Staff SymbolsOther_Staff_Symbols.html
8. ArticulationArticulation.html
9. DynamicsDynamics.html
4. EnharmonicsEnharmonics.html
 
PREVIOUSOrnaments.html
Ornaments.html
OrnamentsOrnaments.html
10. OrnamentsOrnaments.html
Writing Styles

Music for Piano

Two part counterpoint

SATB

Guitar

Score

This is a score for a conductor, and shows the parts for each instrument - which is why this chart only goes up to the 6th measure. Individual sections of instruments get their own scores; for example, flute players will receive the flute score showing parts for all flutes.

Below we have a bunch of different notation styles.

We’ll start with the SCORE, and then the LEAD SHEET. A score is very formal, while a lead sheet is very basic, and used for quicker rehearsals - the music is usually much less complicated than what would be on a score.

Lead sheets include the melody and chord changes - they allow musicians to simply play a song without having to go over a bunch of technical details - everybody just looks at one copy and interprets the rest.

The usual practice is to go over the melody once, and then each instrument takes a turn over the form for solos.

Lead Sheet

Music written for piano is notated with a treble and bass clef (in that order), with the measure lines crossing over both staffs. Additionally, the staffs are notated with a bracket attaching each set.

Each section gets notated together with measure lines crossing over their staffs - woodwind, brass, and string sections.

Bracket

(this is a Schumann piece)

Soprano

Tenor

Alto

Bass

SATB is a style which is centered on using 4 voices, and treating them as independent lines - as much as you can - and still keeping harmony in consideration. Soprano and Alto are notated on the treble clef, Tenor and Bass on the Bass clef. Stems go in opposite directions of each other (no matter where the voices go on the staff, ignoring the middle staff line rule).

Counterpoint is the practice of using just two voices - the soprano and bass. Bach wrote many pieces in these styles (SATB and SB).

Pieces written for solo guitar are notated in a way similar to piano notation. We separate notes into either bass or soprano, and have the stems going in opposite directions of each other.

These roman numerals are suggestions on what fret your index finger should be at. (known as POSITION)
these tiny numbers are suggestions on what fingers to use; 0 = open string, 1 = index, 2 = middle finger, 3 = ring and 4 = pinky
circled numbers are suggested strings. 1E - 2B - 3G - 4D - 5A - 6E

If you’re a guitarist, remember to always play everything on a lead sheet an octave up. The piece above is written FOR guitar, lead sheets are not. If you play the part in the wrong range, you could end up sounding muddy.