Understanding Musical Notes and Symbols

Orchestra rehearsing at concert hall

If you're learning to read music, you may be overwhelmed by the large number of musical notes and symbols that exist. Even seasoned music professionals are sometimes confused by a symbol or forget what it means. If you're struggling with understanding notes and symbols, print out this handy chart for easy reference.

Common Notes and Symbols in Music

There are many types of music notes to help you decipher a musical composition. The following table lists some of the most commonly found music notes and symbols and their meanings. Keep in mind that all note and rest beat values assume a 4/4 time signature. Scroll past the main chart to find the printable version.

Symbol Name Description
quarter note
Quarter note Note is played for one beat.
quarter rest
Quarter rest Rest (do not play) for one beat.
half-note.jpg
Half note Note is held for two beats.
half rest
Half rest Rest for two beats.
Whole Note
Whole note Note is held for four beats.
whole rest
Whole rest Rest for four beats.
eighth-note.jpg
Eighth note Note is played for 1/2 a beat.
eighth rest
Eighth rest Rest for 1/2 a beat.
sixteenth-note.jpg
Sixteenth note Note is played for 1/4 of a beat.
sixteenth rest
Sixteenth rest Rest for 1/4 of a beat.
Thirty-second note
Thirty-second note Note is played for 1/8 of a beat.
thirty second rest
Thirty-second rest Rest for 1/8 of a beat.
sixty fourth note
Sixty-fourth note Note is played for 1/16 of a beat.
sixty fourth rest
Sixty-fourth rest Rest for 1/16th of a beat.
dotted half note
Dotted note or rest Add half the beat value of the note or rest. For example, a dotted half note equals three beats.
beamed notes
Beamed notes Eighth, sixteenth, thirty-second, and sixty-fourth notes may be connected in groups by a beam. This makes the notes easier to read and helps organize the music.
tied notes
Tied notes A tie connects two or more notes and their beat values together. Tied notes should be played as a single note and held for the length of their combined beats.
triplets
Triplets Triplets divide one beat into three equal beats.
grace note
Grace notes A grace note is an extra note added for flare and is not a necessary part of a music composition. It does not have a specific beat value but is played rapidly prior to a valued note's beat.
broken chord arpeggio
Broken chord Also called an arpeggio, a broken chord symbol means to play the notes of the chord separate (from bottom to top) instead of at the same time.
staff
Staff Consists of five lines and four spaces. Notes are written on the lines, in the spaces and above and below the staff. Each line and space represents a note on the musical scale.
bar line
Bar line A bar line divides the musical staff into measures.
treble-clef.jpg
Treble clef Also called the "G" clef, this symbol is found at the beginning of a music staff and represents treble notes.
bass-clef.jpg
Bass clef Also called the "F" clef, this symbol is found at the beginning of a music staff and represents bass notes.
c sharp key signature
Key signature The number of sharps or flats at the beginning of a musical piece that determines what key to play or sing in.
time signature
Time signature Determines the beat or rhythm of the musical piece. The top number of the time signature tells how many beats are in each measure, while the bottom number determines what type of note gets one beat. The example to the left shows a time signature of 6/8. This means there are six beats per measure and an eighth note gets one beat.
common-time-signature.jpg
Common time This symbol indicates a time signature of 4/4 (four beats per measure, quarter note gets one beat).
cut-time-signature.jpg
Cut time Indicates a time signature of 2/2 (two beats per measure, half note gets one beat).
Grand staff
Grand staff When the treble and bass clef staffs are connected by a brace, this is called the grand staff.
c-sharp.png
Sharp A sharp symbol in front of a note directs you to play or sing that note one half step higher for the duration of the measure.
a-flat.png
Flat A flat in front of a note directs you to play or sing that note one half step lower for the duration of the measure.
a natural note
Natural A natural sign in front of a note cancels out a previous flat or a sharp in a measure.
piano mark
Piano Play or sing softly.
pianissimo
Pianissimo Play or sing very softly.
pianississimo
Pianississimo Play or sing very, very softly.
forte
Forte Play or sing loudly.
fortissimo
Fortissimo Play or sing very loudly.
fortississimo
Fortississimo Play or sing very, very loudly.
mezzo piano
Mezzo piano Play or sing moderately softly.
mezzo forte
Mezzo forte Play or sing moderately loudly.
glissando
Glissando A glissando mark between two notes tells you to quickly slide your fingers up or down the keys or strings between those notes, starting and ending on the written notes. Vocalists may also perform glissandos.
crescendo
Crescendo Gradually play or sing louder.
decrescendo
Decrescendo Gradually play or sing softer.
staccato
Staccato Play or sing the note in a detached manner, with clear separation between notes.
marcato
Marcato (accent mark) Play or sing the note forcefully with emphasis.
legato
Legato Also called a slur, this symbol indicates you should smoothly connect a group of notes.
breath mark
Breath Mark This symbols tells a performer to take a breath. For a violinist, it means to lift the bow.
trill-line.png
Trill To rapidly play two notes back and forth, the written note and usually the note above it.
repeat sign
Repeat Sign Instructs you to repeat sections of music. If a repeat sign is seen at the end of the music, go back to the beginning and play it again.
fermata-round.png
Fermata Hold the note for as long as the musician or conductor deems appropriate, usually at least twice the beat value of the note. Fermatas are often seen at the end of a musical piece.

Free Printable Chart

If you'd like a copy of this chart to take along with you, simply click on the image below to open the .pdf file. The chart will open in a new window or tab, and from there you can download it to your computer or print out a hard copy.

musical notes and symbols chart

Understanding the Universal Language

Music is considered the universal language because it transcends culture, nationality and traditional languages. Music notes and symbols are the foundation of the musical language. Each symbol and note adds a unique element to a musical composition and learning to read them opens the door to an unlimited world of musical opportunities and experiences.

Understanding Musical Notes and Symbols