Reading Music Basics

If you already read music, you can skip this page. If not, here's what you need to know:

The Staff

Music is written on five horizontal lines called the staff. Notes can sit on lines or in spaces between lines. Higher notes are physically higher on the staff.

The Treble Clef

Recorder music uses the treble clef (also called G clef). This curly symbol at the beginning of each staff indicates which notes the lines represent.

Note Names

Musical notes use letters A through G, then repeat: C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C-D-E-F-G...

For soprano recorder, your first notes will be B, A, and G. These sit on or near the middle of the treble clef staff.

Rhythm: Note Durations

• Whole note (○) - 4 beats
• Half note (𝅗𝅥) - 2 beats
• Quarter note (♩) - 1 beat
• Eighth note (♪) - 1/2 beat

Time Signatures

4/4 time (most common) means 4 beats per measure, with the quarter note getting one beat.

3/4 time means 3 beats per measure (waltz time).

Bar Lines and Measures

Vertical lines divide music into measures (or bars). Each measure contains the number of beats indicated by the time signature.

Don't Worry!

You'll learn notation gradually through the lessons. Each new concept is introduced when needed, with plenty of practice.

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