Explore Notation & Symbols with clear music dictionary guides to clefs, notes, rests, accidentals, repeats, and score markings.
The tenor clef is a type of C clef positioned on the fourth line of the staff, indicating that the note C lies on that line. It is primarily used for notating higher ranges of tenor instruments and certain vocal parts, facilitating easier reading without excessive ledger lines.
{ “title”: “Bass Clef”, “slug”: “Bass Clef”, “excerpt”: “The bass clef, also known as the F clef, is a musical symbol used to indicate the pitch of notes written on the lower lines and spaces of the staff. Positioned so that the fourth line represents the note F below middle C, it is essential for […]
Marcato is a musical articulation indicating a note should be played with a strong, accented emphasis, louder or more forceful than surrounding notes. It is not a dynamic marking but a directive for articulation.
In music notation, a segno is a sign resembling a stylized “S” that marks the point to which performers return when a D.S. (Dal Segno) repeat instruction is given.
In musical notation, a coda is a navigational symbol that directs the performer to a concluding passage, typically after a repeat or a section marked da capo. It functions as a structural marker, helping to shape the overall form of a piece.
A triplet is a rhythmic grouping that fits three notes of a given value into the time normally occupied by two. It is a common type of tuplet used to create a sense of rhythmic subdivision across many musical styles.
A quarter note, also called a crotchet, is a musical note lasting one beat in common time. It is notated with an open notehead and a solid stem, and forms the basic unit of rhythm in many Western music styles.
A dotted note is a musical notation where a dot placed after a note head increases its duration by half of its original value, allowing for flexible rhythmic expression across styles.
A repeat sign is a musical notation indicating that a section of music should be performed again. It appears as a pair of dots flanking a double bar line and can be combined with other signs to control the number of repeats.
A sixteenth note (or semiquaver) is a musical note whose duration is one‑sixteenth of a whole note, equal to a quarter of a beat in common time. It is written with a filled notehead, a stem, and two flags or a beam.