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Lesson Thirteen: More Musical Terms and Symbols

Dotted Quarter-Note

The dotted quarter-note is counted a bit unevenly - almost with a "limp." It is counted "One Two and..."

For example, in the above example, the measure would be counted like this: 1-2-and-3-4. The first note, the dotted quarter-note, would be counted "1, 2"; the second note, the note following the dotted quarter-note, would be counted as "and"; the third note would be counted "3"; and the fourth note would be counted as "4".

So the first note is held for two beats, the second note for half a beat, and the last two notes for a beat each.

Upbeat

An upbeat is a note that comes before the first full measure of the song. Normally, the time value of an upbeat is subtracted from the final measure. This leaves the final measure incomplete.

In the above example, since the first measure has only one beat to it, that one beat is subtracted from the last measure, which has just three beats.

Sharp Key Signatures

When a song has a sharp, or sharps, at the beginning of the staff, you can discover what the key signature is by (1) finding the last sharp written, then (2) naming the next letter in the musical alphabet. (In other words, the note above that last sharp.)

For instance, in the following example, you would notice that the last sharp written is F Sharp, then you name the next letter in the musical alphabet, which is G. So the key signature for this song is G Major.

In the next example, the last sharp written is C Sharp. One letter up from C is D, so this song is written in the key of D Major.

In this next example, the last sharp written is a G (yes, that's a G), and the next letter up is A, so the song is played in A Major.

In this last example, the last sharp written is C (notice we're on the Bass Staff now), so the key signature would be one note up: D.

Flat Key Signatures

When a song has a flat, or flats, at the beginning of the staff, you can discover what the key signature is by finding the next-to-last flat written: that's the key signature.

For instance, in the following example, the next-to-last flat written is E Flat, so this song would be played in the key of E Flat Major.

In the next example, the next-to-last flat written is D Flat, so this song is written in the key of D Flat.

And in the next example (which is written on the Bass Staff here), the next-to-last flat written is A Flat, so the key signature for this song is A Flat.

An exception is the key of F Major, which has only one flat, which is B:

Leger Lines

Leger Lines are short lines placed above or below the staff. Notes are written on these lines and spaces.

Grace Note

A grace note is written in very small type. It is not counted in the measure's rhythm. It is played at almost the same time as the note after it, and played very, very quickly.

Lesson Fourteen: New Notes, Chords, and Time Signatures

Emily Sigers
emily@thepianopages.com