Musical signs

These are the symbols and markings that are commonly used in sheet music of all styles and instruments.
Currently. The aim of this article is to present a comprehensive guide to modern musical notation.

Lines
Pentagram
The fundamental framework of a score upon which the other symbols are placed. Each one
the five lines and their intermediate spaces correspond to the seven repetitive tones of
the diatonic scale, according to the key in use. For example, in a staff with the key
From the sun, the first bottom line corresponds to the note Mi (E) corresponding to Do central (C).
immediately upper space isFa(F4) and so on.
Additional lines
They are used to extend the staff when you want to represent notes above or
below this. These additional lines briefly extend to both sides of the note. The
The conventional limit is 4 additional lines.
Divider
Used to separate two measures (time and measure more below for more information)
about the compass). Sometimes, the dividing bars extend to join a staff
superior and another inferior.

Double divider bar

Used to separate two sections of musical phrases. They are also used when there is a
change of key signature, time signature, or substantial style changes ortimeAlso
known as the symbol that begins and ends a musical piece.
Dotted divider
Break down the long measures of complicated rhythm into smaller segments to facilitate.
the reading of the score.

Key holder
Connect two or more staff lines to be interpreted simultaneously.1Normally the
we found it in the sheet music for piano.

Keys
The clefs define the tonal range or tessitura of the staff. The clef is usually the symbol that is represented.
more to the left of the staff. There may be additional clefs in between to indicate a change
de-register for instruments with a wide range.
 Desolate key
The center of the spiral defines the line or space on which the note [Link] thedo
centralat approximately 392 Hz. Positioned thus, it is assigned to the second apple in the central area.
line of the staff counted from the bottom and is known as the 'treble clef'.
This is the most common musical notation and is used for most of the music.
vocalmoderna.
Key finger
This key indicates the line (or space, rarely) that represents thedo centralo
approximately 262 Hz. Positioned this way, it makes the central line of the staff correspond
central aldo. While other keys can be placed anywhere within the staff
to indicate several ranges, the finger key is commonly considered a 'movable' key:
It is often placed on the fourth line. This key is commonly used in written music.
paraviola, bassoon, cello and trombone. Replace the key by accounting for the number of lines.
Additional information about the key makes for easy reading.
Default key
The line or space between the points in this key indicatesfabajo eldo centralo
approximately 175 Hz. Positioned this way, it makes the second line of the staff counted from
the top part corresponds to the bottom of the center.
Neutral key
Used for percussion instruments. Each line can represent an instrument of
percussion within a set, as in a drum kit. Two different styles of neutral clave
They appear in the image. It can also be represented with a single line for each.
percussion instrument.

Octave key
The treble and bass clefs can also be modified by octave numbers. A number
eight or fifteen above a key raises the range by one or two octaves, respectively.
In the same way, a number eight or fifteen below a key reduces the range from one to two.
eighths, respectively.

Tablature
For guitars and other plucked string instruments, it is possible to read tablature instead of using the
ordinary notes. In this case, a TAB sign is written instead of a key. The number of lines on the staff
it is not necessarily five: a line is used for each string of the instrument (thus, for 6-string guitars
(strings use six lines). The numbers on the lines indicate the fret on which the string should be played.
This TAB sign, like the percussion key, is not a key in the strict sense, but rather a symbol.
employee instead of a key.

Figures and silences

The values of notes and rests are not absolute but proportional in duration to the other notes and rests.
For the purposes of the definition, the duration of a quarter note (black) corresponds to a 'duration' time.
of reference.

Figure Duration Silence

 Maximum
Duration: 32 Times

Longa
Duration: 16 Times

. .

Square
Duration: 8 Times

. .

Round
Duration: 4 Times

White
Duration: 2 Times

Black
Duración:1 Tiempo

The tails of silence and notes correspond.

eighth note
Duration: ½ Time

Sixteenth note

Duration:¼ Time

Fusa
Duration:1/8Time

Semiquaver
Duration:1/16Time
 CuartifusaoTick
Duration:1/32Time

Semigarrapatea
Duration:1/64Time

Notes with unions

They connect values of brief notes.

Little point
Placing a dot to the right, we add to the note half of the duration it had.
They can add more points, and each one will add to the score half the duration that it adds.
previous dot. Silences can also have dots, in the same way that the
notes.

Waiting compass
Indicate the number of measures to be waited in silence.

Shorter durations than the garrapata are uncommon. Semi-garrapata can be seen in the works of Vivaldi even.
Beethoven. An extreme case is in theGrand Chromatic Toccata of the principles ofnineteenth century written by
The American composer Anthony Philip Heinrich, who uses note values of 2,048th. However, the context shows
It is clear that these notes have an additional union, so what is really observed is 1024th.

Breaks
Breath
In a score, this symbol tells the performer to take a brief breath (or to make a
slight pause for instruments that are not wind instruments). This pause does not affect the entire time.
In general. For string instruments, it indicates to lift the bow and play the next note towards
down.

Caesura
Indicate a brief silent pause, during which time is not counted. In a set of
strings, the time continues when the conductor indicates it.

Alterations
The alterations modify the pitch of the notes that follow them in the same position on the staff within a
measure, unless it is canceled by a new alteration.
Double flat
Lower the pitch of the note by two chromatic semitones.

Flat and a half

Lower the pitch of a note by 3/4 of a [Link].

Flat
Lower the pitch of a note by a semitone.

B-flat
Lower the pitch of a note by a [Link].

Buffered
Cancel a previous accident, or modify the tone of a sharp or flat according to the key that
figure at the beginning of the staff (For example: a F-sharp in a G clef)
Mayor)

Semisustained
Raise the note by a [Link].

Sustained
Raise the pitch of the note by a semitone.

Sustained and a half

Raise the note by 3/[Link].

Double sharp
Raise the note by two chromatic semitones.
Key Armors
Clef signs define the alterations that the notes on that line or space will have, avoiding the use of
alterations for many notes. If no key signature is present, the associated tonality is assumed to be
ismayor/ lamenor, but it can also mean a neutral armor, using the alterations
individuals that are necessary for each note. The chords used in the following example are described
how they could appear on a staff.

Armor of flats
Lower by a semitone the note of the corresponding line or space, determining if the
the tonality is minor or major. The different tonalities are characterized by the number of
alterations they have.
These blemishes always appear following a certain order: If♭ Me♭ The♭ Re♭ Sun♭ -
Do♭ Fa♭For example, if only the first two flats are used, the key isYes
B flat major/ B minorand all the notes SiyMison diminished to A♭ yMi♭.

Sustaining armor
Raise a semitone the note of the corresponding line or space, determining the key.
is minor or major. The various tonalities are characterized by the number of alterations that
they have.
These sustained appear always following a determined order: F♯- C♯- G♯- D♯- A♯
F♯- C♯. For example, if only the first four sharps are used the key
isMy greatest/ C sharp minorand the corresponding notes are raised by a semitone.

Time and rhythm

The time signature determines the measure of the music. The music is divided into uniform sections called "measures."
On the other hand, the same term "compass" refers to the break that marks the specific timing of a piece.
establishing the number of beats corresponding in each measure as a section. This system does not determine
Not necessarily the beats that must be emphasized, but it tends to suggest certain groupings of beats.
predominant.

Specific time
The number below or denominator indicates the value of the note of the basic pulse of music (in
in this case, the 4 represents a quarter of a time, that is, a quarter note). The number above or
the numerator indicates how many of these notes appear in each measure. This example indicates that
each measure has three black notes.

Little compass
This symbol comes from the rhythmic notation of the 16th century, at that time it meant 2/4 but
now it is equivalent to 4/4.

Binary compass
Indicate a time of 2/2, meaning 2 beats of half notes, also called Alla breve.
 Metronome brand
Written at the beginning of a score and at the moment of any significant change in time,
this symbol precisely determines the time of the musical piece assigning the duration
absolute of all the notes in the score. In this particular example, it is referred to
The interpreter said that 120 words fit in one minute.

Relationship between the grades

Ligature
Indicates that the two notes joined together are played as a single note. This can also
indicate a sustained note with two or more values.

Expression ligature
Indicates that the two notes should be played continuously; in a single breath (in the case of
the wind instruments); or (in the case of instruments that are not wind instruments, nor those
that are played with a bow), indicates that the notes should be connected in the same phrase.

Ligatures and expression ligatures are similar in appearance. A ligature always joins
two adjacent notes of the same pitch, while an expression tie can join to
any number of notes of different tones.

Legato
Notes covered by this sign are played without articulating a separation through interruption.
of the sound.

Glissando
A continuous, uninterrupted glide from one note to another, which includes a vibrato.

Franchise brand
It usually appears in music for string instruments.

Threefold
Condense three notes into the normal duration of two notes (in this case, a triplet of quarter notes).
(is equivalent to the time of two quarter notes). If the notes it envelopes are connected (whether they are eighth notes,
eighth notes, etc.), these are omitted and joined together. This can be generalized to a triplet,
when a certain number of notes condense into the normal duration of the greatest power of
two grades lower than that number, for example, six grades performed in the normal duration of
four notes.

Chord
Three or more notes are played simultaneously. If only two notes are played, it is referred to as
Interval call. Three-note chords are called triads.
 Arpeggio
The "broken" chord. Like a chord, except that the notes are played sequentially,
generally in ascending order.

Dynamic
The dynamics indicate the relative intensity or the volume of a musical line.

Very very softly

Extremely smooth. It is rare to observe a smoother indicator than this one, in which
if additional components are specified.

Very softly
Very soft. Generally, it is the softest indicator in a musical piece.

Piano
Smooth. Generally, it is the most used indicator.

Mezzopiano(medium soft)
Literally, it is half as soft as the piano.

Mezzoforte
Similarly, it is half as loud as the forte. More commonly used than the mezzo-piano.
figure no dynamics, it is supposed that mezzoforte is the prevailing dynamic.

Strong
Ruidoso. Used many times as the piano, to indicate contrast.

Fortissimo
Very loud. Generally, it is the loudest indicator in a musical piece.

Fortississimo
Extremely strong. It is rare to see an indicator stronger than this one, in which case
additional configurations are specified.
Sforzando
Literally "forced", it indicates a sudden, strong emphasis on a single sound or chord. Note: when it is
fully written, it applies to the sequence of sounds or chords under/on which it
place.
Crescendo(growing)
A gradual increase in volume. It can be extended below many notes to indicate
that the volume increases slowly during the passage.
Decrescendodecreasing
A gradual decrease in volume. It can be extended in the same way as
the crescendo.

Articulations or accents
The articulations (or accents) specify how individual notes are interpreted within
A passage can be perfected by combining more than one symbol above or below.
under a note. They can also appear in relation to previously mentioned brands.
 ChoppedoStaccato
These indicate that the note is played shorter than written, generally half.
of its value, the rest of the value is a silence. The staccato mark can appear in the notes
of any value, shortening its actual duration without speeding up the music itself.

Staccatissimo
Indicate a longer silence after the note, making the note very short. Therefore
general, it is applied to shorter values. In the past, this meaning of the
marked was more ambiguous: sometimes constaccato is used interchangeably and at times it
indicate an accent and staccato. These uses have practically fallen into disuse today,
although they still appear in some scores.

Held
This symbol has two meanings. Generally, it indicates that it should be touched by its full value,
without any kind of silence between this and the next note, but with an attack (not legato). Also
you can direct the performing interpreter to give the note a slight accent.

Accent
The note is played louder or with a more intense attack than any unaccented note.
It can appear in notes of any duration.

Marked
The note is played much louder or with a much more intense attack than any note without
to accentuate. It can appear in notes of any duration.

CalderónFermata
A note, chord, silence, bar of measure whose duration is extended at the will of the performer.
Generally, it appears over all the voices that are in the same
metric location of a piece, to indicate a height in ittimeIt can be placed on top
or below the musical figure.
With the wood(with the bow)
arch
Indicates that the strings are struck with the wooden part of the bow.
Pizzicatopinched
pizz It indicates that it is played by pressing the strings with the fingers and not with a bow.

Pizzicato with the left handbrake note

In a string instrument, the note is played as pizzicato but by the same fingers.
the left hand. In the trap this accent indicates a 'stopped note' (a note played with the
hand that stops the note in the bell of the trumpet.

Snap pizzicato
In a string instrument, the note is played by stretching the string outside of the
instrument mast and then release it, making it hit against the mast.
 Harmonic Noteopen note
In a string instrument, it indicates that the note is going to be played as a harmonic, whether natural or
artificially. In a valved wind instrument, it indicates that the note is going to be played in a manner
"open" (without reducing any valve).

Arch upwards On the arch

For string bow instruments, it indicates that the note should be played from the tip of the bow.
towards its base. For instruments played with a plectrum, the note is executed with an attack towards
up

Bow down
For bowed string instruments, it indicates that the note should be played from the base of the bow.
towards the tip. For instruments played with a plectrum, the note is executed with an attack towards
down.

Ornaments
The ornaments modify the pitch pattern of an individual note.

Trino
A rapid alternation between the specific note and the next higher tone or semitone within
its duration. When followed by a wavy horizontal line, this symbol indicates a long
trino.

Mordent
It is the insertion of a note in the form of a brief trill, the inserted note can be a semitone or a
higher or lower tone framed in the value of the note that carries the symbol (this particular case
it's called 'upper mordent' and the inserted note is the one that is above the note that carries it.
mordent). If this same sign were crossed in the center by a small vertical line,
the inserted note would be below the specific note, and the embellishment would be called 'mordent'
inferior.

The groupIt combines a major and minor mordent, in that order, as specified in the note of the value.
If the symbol is inverted, the lower mordent is played first.

Support
In Italian appoggiatura, this means that the first half that the main note lasts has the
tone of the grace note (the first two thirds if the main note is a dot). The majority
Most of the time it does not affect the weather.

Grace notethis means that the duration of the main note starts with the pitch of the note
of grace for only a very small part of the principal amount. Just like the
Support does not influence time.
Octaves

High octave Low eighth

Notes below the dashed line are played
an octave higher than the one indicated. an octave lower than the notated.

Fifteenth high Fifteenth low

Notes below the dotted line are played
Two octaves higher than the symbolized. two octaves lower than the symbolized one.

Repetition and coda

These signs help us save space on the score. In music, it is very common for the same ones to be repeated.
musical phrases, which is why there are symbols that assist us in knowing the measures that need to be repeated
When playing. They avoid rewriting measures that have already been written.

Tremolo

Refrain
Indicate that the section of the score that is between the two bars should be repeated. If not
there is a bar that indicates where the repetition starts, it should repeat from the beginning, or where
to the Boss.
Measure repetition
The first sign indicates that the previous measure should be repeated. In contrast, the second sign indicates
that the previous two measures should be repeated consecutively.

Parenthesis Turn (first and second final)

They indicate that a passage should be interpreted differently during the repetition. In the first
execution, the end corresponds to the section marked with '1'. In the repetition, the end
It will correspond to the section marked with the number '2' and so on.

From the beginning

He tells the interpreter that he must repeat the melody from the beginning. This is followed by the end, which
it means to repeat until the word finey stop, or the coda, which means to repeat the coda and then
jump forward.
From the sign
He tells the interpreter to repeat the song from the nearest sign. This is followed
A biennial cycle just like the Capo.

Sign
Mark used with "Dal Segno".

Coda
Indicate a leap forward in the song to put an end to its passage, marked with the same sign.
It is only used after a D.S. at the coda D.C. at the coda.

Specific notation of certain instruments

Guitar
The guitar has a notation system for the right hand, represented by letters corresponding to the
names of the fingers in Spanish. They are written above, below, or next to the note to which they are attached. They are the
following:

Símbolo Español Inglés

p thumb thumb

i índice index

m medium middle

a annul ring

little

For the left hand, a number is used to designate each finger:

Símbolo Español Inglés

1 index index

2 medium middle

3 to annul ring

4 pinky little

Piano
Pedal brands

Press the pedal

Indicate to the pianist that the sustain pedal must be activated.
 Release the pedal
Tell the pianist that the sustain pedal should be released.

Variable pedal brand

Indicate the use of the pedal with greater precision. The extended bottom line indicates to the pianist that they should
press the pedal on all notes where it appears below. The inverted 'V' shape (Λ) indicates
that the pedal must be released momentarily, after which it is pressed once more.

Another notation for piano

hand
hand
right Identification
left
o) in the of
)
main fingers
main
right (France) Thumb
m.d./MD/r.H./r.h./ M.S./MS/m.g./MG/l.H./l.h./left (Francé 1,2,3,4)
s) 2 =Index
RH LH s) 5
rights 3 = Medium
left
Hand 4 = Annul
Hand (German)
) 5
left
right Pinky
hand
hand(Inglés)