Multi-note instruments
Some instruments can only play one note at a time (e.g. flute, clarinet, trumpet, etc.).
However, other instruments (e.g. piano, guitar) can play more than one note at the same
time. So, sheet music written for the guitar or piano will show these different notes being
played at the same time.
Case Study 1 - Piano Music
Piano music can be quite daunting at first because it looks like a series of lots of lines and
dots with several random symbols thrown in for good measure. The key thing to remember
is that it simply uses the basic elements we have already covered - it just has a lot of them
because a piano player has 2 hands and a total of 10 fingers and therefore the potential to
play a lot of notes at any one time.
Piano music tends to have 2 staves. Usually (but not always), the top stave is written in the
Treble Clef and the bottom stave is written in Bass Clef. The top stave shows the notes
that should be played with the right hand, whilst the bottom stave shows the notes to be
played by the left hand. It helps to remember this when practicing as you can practice one
hand at a time and make significant progress with whichever piece you are wanting to
play.
The numbers placed underneath certain notes are suggestions of what fingers to use -
these are often found in piano music....