Music Theory Basics

Front

Note

Back

Symbol that represents a sound of a certain pitch and duration.

Front

Rest

Back

Symbol for silence lasting a set duration.

Front

Clef

Back

Symbol at the start of the staff showing pitch range (Treble, Bass, Alto, Tenor).

Front

Staff

Back

The five lines and four spaces where music is written.

Front

Ledger lines

Back

Short lines used to notate pitches above or below the staff.

Front

Bar line

Back

Divides music into measures.

Front

Measure (bar)

Back

A unit of time containing a set number of beats.

Front

Double bar line

Back

Indicates the end of a section or piece.

Front

Time signature

Back

Numbers that show beats per measure and which note gets the beat.

Front

Key signature

Back

Sharps or flats at the start of the staff that show the key.