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Musical Notation Symbols
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Natural
A symbol that cancels out a flat or sharp, returning the note to its original pitch.
Tenor Clef
A C clef symbol that indicates the fourth line from the bottom of the staff is middle C. Used for higher trombone, bassoon, and cello parts.
Quarter Note
A note symbol with a filled-in notehead and a stem that is held for one beat in common time.
Alto Clef
A symbol in which the third line from the bottom of the staff represents middle C. Primarily used for viola music.
Whole Note
A note symbol with no stem that is held for four beats in common time.
Sharp
A symbol that raises the pitch of a note by one semitone (half step).
Flat
A symbol that lowers the pitch of a note by one semitone (half step).
Treble Clef
A symbol indicating that the second line from the bottom of the staff represents the G above middle C. Commonly used for higher-pitched instruments and voices.
Half Note
A note symbol with an open notehead and a stem that is held for two beats in common time.
Bass Clef
A symbol indicating that the fourth line from the bottom of the staff represents the F below middle C. Commonly used for lower-pitched instruments and voices.
Dal Segno
An instruction to repeat from the sign (𝄋), often abbreviated as 'D.S.'.
Staccato
A dot above or below a note indicating it should be played short and detached.
Dot (after note)
A symbol placed after a note that increases the duration of the note by half its original value.
Crescendo
A notation symbol indicating that the volume should gradually increase.
Decrescendo
A notation symbol indicating that the volume should gradually decrease.
Eighth Note
A note symbol with a filled-in notehead, a stem, and one flag that is held for half a beat in common time.
Repeat Sign
A symbol indicating a section should be repeated; appears as two dots placed on the staff line, beside a double bar line.
Arpeggio
A broken chord where the notes are played in quick succession, rather than simultaneously.
Forte
A dynamic marking that indicates to play loud; abbreviated as 'f'.
Mezzo Piano
A dynamic marking indicating to play moderately soft; abbreviated as 'mp'.
Glissando
A continuous sliding from one pitch to another (a true glissando), or an incidental scale played while moving from one note to another.
Sixteenth Note
A note symbol with a filled-in notehead, a stem, and two flags that is held for a quarter of a beat in common time.
Mezzo Forte
A dynamic marking indicating to play moderately loud; abbreviated as 'mf'.
Segno
A sign marking a place to which a musician should jump when directed (usually by 'D.S.'). The segno symbol looks like a stylized 'S' with a slash and two dots.
Double Sharp
A symbol that raises the pitch of a note by two semitones (a whole step); resembles an 'x'.
Slur
A curved line connecting two or more different notes, indicating they should be played legato, or smoothly connected.
Fermata
A symbol placed above a note or rest indicating it should be held longer than its normal duration.
Da Capo
An instruction to repeat from the beginning of a piece, often abbreviated as 'D.C.'.
Accent
A small mark placed above or below a note indicating it should be emphasized or played forcefully.
Trill
A rapid alternation between two adjacent notes, usually a semitone or tone apart.
Double Flat
A symbol that lowers the pitch of a note by two semitones (a whole step); resembles two flats combined.
Time Signature
A numeric symbol at the beginning of a piece or section that indicates the number of beats in a measure and the note value that gets one beat.
Sforzando
A sudden and strong accent on a note or chord, often abbreviated as 'sfz' or 'sf'.
Tie
A curved line that connects two notes of the same pitch, indicating that they should be played as one sustained note.
Piano
A dynamic marking that indicates to play softly; abbreviated as 'p'.
Key Signature
A set of sharps or flats at the beginning of a staff indicating the key of the music.
Coda
A concluding passage or section of a piece of music, which may be indicated by a special symbol (circle with a crosshair).
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