English For Music Students

staff (also called the great staff). This way, both the highest and lowest
pitches can be seen and played together.
There is also another clef used in music notation; the C clef which
locates ‘middle C’ on the middle line (or, in some cases, on the fourth line)
of the staff.

=ÿ====v=w=x=y=z={=|==

A B C D E F G

For notes above or below the range of staff, small lines called ledger lines
are added to extend the staff. Ledger lines function like the lines of the
staff, and notes can be placed on or between the lines just as in the lines
and spaces of a staff.

=&=====p=q=r=~======

Every line or space on the staff represents a white key on the keyboard.
What about the other five notes (the black keys)?
In order to maintain the integrity of the alphabet, the other five pitches
are represented as alterations of the basic seven pitches. The terms used are
sharp and flat. Sharp means half step higher, written as #; and flat means
half step lower, written as v. The sharp and flat signs are placed before the
note for reading purposes.

=&=====|====Ü|====}=====

F F# G

Once a sharp or flat has occurred in a measure, there must be a way of
cancelling (neutralising) it so that the note reverts to its unaltered

condition. The symbol used for this is a natural ( F ). Collectively, sharps,
flats and naturals are called accidentals.
In certain situations, it may become necessary to raise or lower a pitch
by two half steps. The symbols for these purposes are ӿ for a double sharp
and vv for a double flat. These symbols are also called accidentals.