Note Names
Usually worth 4 beats.
Whole Note
A set of horizontal lines and spaces on which music is written.
Staff
The speed at which a piece of music is played, often indicated by Italian terms like "Andante" (slow) or "Allegro" (fast).
Tempo
A symbol that raises the pitch of a note by one half step.
Sharp (#)
The main tune or theme in a piece of music.
Melody:
Usually worth 2 beats
A symbol at the beginning of the staff that indicates higher-pitched notes (C4-C6).
Treble Clef
The loudness or softness of music, indicated by symbols such as "piano" (soft) and "forte" (loud).
Dynamics
A symbol that lowers the pitch of a note by one half step.
Flat (♭)
The combination of different musical notes played or sung at the same time to create a pleasing sound.
Harmony
Usually worth 1 beat.
Quarter Note
A symbol at the beginning of the staff that indicates lower-pitched notes. (C4-C2)
Bass Clef
A musical instruction that means to gradually slow down the tempo.
Ritardando (Rit.):
A symbol that cancels out a sharp or flat, returning the note to its natural pitch.
Natural (♮):
The pattern of beats and durations in music.
Rhythm:
Worth 4 beats of rest.
Whole Rest
The vertical line that separates measures in sheet music.
Barline
A musical instruction that means to gradually speed up the tempo.
Accelerando (Accel.)
A symbol indicating that a note or rest should be held longer than its written duration.
Fermata (⌂):
The steady pulse that underlies music, often felt as the "heartbeat" of the music.
Beat
Adds half of a notes value.
A symbol at the beginning of a piece of music that tells how many beats are in each measure and which note receives one beat.
Time Signature
A musical instruction that means to gradually increase the volume.
Crescendo (Cresc.)
A curved line connecting two notes of the same pitch, indicating that their durations are added together.
Tie (⁀)
A rhythmic pattern in which the emphasis falls on weak beats or offbeats.
Syncopation