Reading simple music notation

Ages 9 to 12 Read alone or together · about 35 minutes

Read together

Music can be written on five lines called a staff. Notes higher on the staff sound higher.

A note's shape shows how long it lasts.

Do it

1. Draw a staff of five lines. Place a note on each line and space.
2. Learn the names of the notes on the lines: E G B D F, and the spaces: F A C E.
3. Clap a rhythm: quarter note is one beat, half note two beats.
4. Play a short tune on a keyboard or sing it from your notes.

Talk about it

• Which note is higher?
• How many beats is this note?

For the grown-up

Staff notation is used around the world. Names differ: some languages use do re mi and others use letters. A teacher or a free printed chart helps. Keep sessions short and joyful.

Mark as done

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Where this comes from

• Kodály Institute, pedagogical materials on staff notation and solfège
• Randel, D. M. (ed.), The Harvard Dictionary of Music (Belknap Press, 4th edition, 2003), entries on staff and notation

Written with AI assistance and checked against the sources listed. Please read it before sharing it with a child.