Music Symbols Flashcards
A taste of what you'd get by subscribing to Brainscape's full Music Theory package
Explain the given symbol:
Staff or stave
The fundamental latticework of music notation, upon which symbols and notes are placed.
Explain the given symbol:
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.
Explain the given symbol:
Bar line
Bar lines are used to separate measures.
Explain the given symbol:
Double bar line
Double bar lines are used to separate two sections or phrases of music.
Explain the given symbol:
Dotted bar line
A dotted bar line subdivides long measures into shorter segments for ease of reading.
Explain the given symbol:
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.
Explain the given symbol:
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.
Explain the given symbol:
Alto and tenor clef (C clef)
This clef points to the line or space representing middle C. Also called the “alto clef”.
Explain the given symbol:
Bass clef (F clef)
The line or space between the dots in this clef denotes F below middle C.
Explain the given symbol:
Neutral clef
The neutral clef is used for pitchless instruments, such as some of those used for percussion.
Explain the given symbol:
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.
Explain the given symbol:
Semibreve, or whole note
Note lasting the full count of the measure
Explain the given symbol:
Minim, or half note
Note played for half the duration of a whole note. If there are four beats per measure, the half note is played for two counts.
Explain the given symbol:
Crotchet, or quarter note
Note played for one quarter of a whole note.
Explain the given symbol:
Quaver, or eighth note
Note lasting one eighth the length of a whole note.
Explain the given symbol:
Semiquaver, or sixteenth note
Note lasting one sixteenth the count of a whole note.
Explain the given symbol:
Demisemiquaver, or thirty-second note
Note lasting one thirty-second the amount of a whole note.
Explain the given symbol:
Hemidemisemiquaver, or sixty-fourth note
Note lasting one sixty-fourth the amount of a whole note.
Explain the given symbol:
Beamed notes
Beams connect eighth notes and notes of shorter value. Used for numerical grouping, making it easier on the reader.
Explain the given symbol:
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.
Explain the given symbol:
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.
Explain the given symbol:
Double whole note rest
Rest lasting the duration of two measures
Explain the given symbol:
Whole rest
Rest lasting the duration of a measure.
Explain the given symbol:
Half note rest
Rest lasting one half the duration of the measure
Explain the given symbol:
Quarter note rest
Rest lasting one quarter of the duration of a measure
Explain the given symbol:
Eighth note rest
Rest lasting one eighth the duration of the measure.