Music Symbols Flashcards
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Explain the given symbol:
Staff or stave
The fundamental latticework of music notation, upon which symbols and notes are placed.
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Ledger or ledger lines
Ledger lines are used to extend the staff to pitches falling above or below it, and extend a small distance to each side.
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Bar line
Bar lines are used to separate measures.
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Double bar line
Double bar lines are used to separate two sections or phrases of music.
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Dotted bar line
A dotted bar line subdivides long measures into shorter segments for ease of reading.
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Accolade, brace
An accolade or brace connects multiple lines of music that are played simultaneously. Depending on the instruments playing, the brace, or accolade, will vary in design and style.
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Treble clef (G clef)
The treble clef symbol is used to show where the pitch G, denoted by the center spiral, above middle C is located on the staff. It is also the most commonly used clef in music notation.
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Alto and tenor clef (C clef)
This clef points to the line or space representing middle C. Also called the “alto clef”.
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Bass clef (F clef)
The line or space between the dots in this clef denotes F below middle C.
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Neutral clef
The neutral clef is used for pitchless instruments, such as some of those used for percussion.
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Breve or double whole note
Note lasting twice as long as the whole note, or twice as long as the number of beats per measure.
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Semibreve, or whole note
Note lasting the full count of the measure
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Crotchet, or quarter note
Note played for one quarter of a whole note.
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Quaver, or eighth note
Note lasting one eighth the length of a whole note.
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Semiquaver, or sixteenth note
Note lasting one sixteenth the count of a whole note.
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Demisemiquaver, or thirty-second note
Note lasting one thirty-second the amount of a whole note.
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Hemidemisemiquaver, or sixty-fourth note
Note lasting one sixty-fourth the amount of a whole note.
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Beamed notes
Beams connect eighth notes and notes of shorter value. Used for numerical grouping, making it easier on the reader.
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Dotted note
Note lasting the full count of the note, plus half of its value. The quarter note shown would last a total of three eighth notes.
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Multi-measure rest
Indicates the number of measures in a resting part without a change in meter, used to conserve space and to make for easier reading.
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Double whole note rest
Rest lasting the duration of two measures
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Whole rest
Rest lasting the duration of a measure.
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Half note rest
Rest lasting one half the duration of the measure
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Quarter note rest
Rest lasting one quarter of the duration of a measure
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Eighth note rest
Rest lasting one eighth the duration of the measure.