Music Symbols

Music Symbols - Music Terms Glossary
There are many different terms used in music, some we can instantly recognise such as prelude or lyric. There are however many more that are not quite as familiar to us including modulation, cadence and appoggiatura. Learn what each particular term means; a great way to learn musical theory or to refresh your memory.

Music Symbols - Music Scales
The word scale is derived from the Latin word 'scala' which means ladder. It is an an ascending or descending series of tones. There are three general classes of scales: Diatonic, Chromatic and Whole-tone. Find out the difference between a harmonic minor scale and a melodic minor scale. This section includes lots of useful information on musical scales and the theory behind them.

Music Symbols - Meaning
Music symbols are the individual signs and symbols used to represent musical scores and compositions in music notation. They include well known symbols such as the treble clef and staff but are also used to represent the pitch, rhythm and tempo of music. Find out about a selection of music symbols as well as their meaning and significance. Did you know that the four elements attributed to music are Rhythm, Melody, Harmony and Timbre (better known as tone-quality)? Read more about each of the individual elements.

Music Symbols & Music Notes

Music Symbols - Music Terminology
There are literally thousands of terms used in music. Many are familiar to us such as 'a capella' and 'anthem' both terms used in vocal music, but do we know what they mean? What is the difference between a ballad and an anthem? What is a 'cantata'? What is the difference between a grand opera and a light opera? Find the answers to these questions on vocal music terminology as well as terms used for sheet music and musical scores in the useful glossary of music terminology.

Music Symbols - Musical Lines
A staff is a collection of parallel lines, together with the spaces belonging to them. A staff usually consists of five lines and six spaces. They are known as the first line, second line, third line, fourth line, and fifth line and the space below them is referred to as first space, second space, third space, fourth space, and space above. A clef symbol is a placed on the staff to identify the pitch represented by its lines and spaces. For example a G clef better known as a Treble Clef shows us not only that the second line of the staff represents G, but that the first line represents E, the first space F, etc. In the same way, the F clef (or Bass staff) shows us that the fifth line of the bass staff represents the first A below middle C, the fourth line the first F below middle C, etc.

Music Symbols - Treble & Base Clef
A clef symbol is a placed on the staff to identify the pitch represented by its lines and spaces. For example a G clef better known as a Treble Clef shows us not only that the second line of the staff represents G, but that the first line represents E, the first space F, etc. In the same way, the F clef (or Bass staff) shows us that the fifth line of the bass staff represents the first A below middle C, the fourth line the first F below middle C and so on. Find out more about each clef including a selection of graphics to illustrate their positions.

Music Symbols - Sheet Music
Sheet music, also commonly referred to as a musical Score is a written form of music notation. Traditionally either hand written or printed on paper, sheet music is now viewed on computer screens, tablets and mobile phones all over the world. The term sheet is used to differentiate the written notes from a live performance. Sheet music is defined as 'a written representation of music'. A score is a more generic term for sheet music and can also be used to describe the music written for operas, ballets or film and television.

Music Symbols - Ornaments
In music, ornaments are used to describe symbols that change the pitch pattern of specific notes. They are also referred to as embellishments and include the terms Trill, Mordent, Glissando, Turn and Appoggiatura. Find out about each of the individual ornament symbols including the music genres that uses them including Jazz, Celtic, Rock and Pop and Indian.

Music Symbols - Dynamics In Music
Dynamics refer to the tone of music and several terms are used including:

• Forte - Loudly

• Fortissimo - Very Loudly

• Piano - Softly

• Pianisissimo - As softly as possible

Music Symbols - Music Accents
What is an accent in music? Also referred to as an articulation mark, an accent specifies how a particular note is to be performed. A Staccato indicates that a note is to be played shorter than normal whereas a Fermata is a pause. Find out about a selection of musical accents, facts and pictures to help you understand the individual terms.

Music Symbols - List of Musical Instruments
Musical instruments can be split into two distinct groups, instruments with a keyboard such as a piano that can make several tones at the same time and those instruments that are only capable of making a single tone at a time such as a trumpet, clarinet or tuba. Find out about a selection of musical instruments, including facts and history.

Music Symbols - Piano Music Notation
Pianos are described as musical instruments that are played by means of a keyboard. They are one of the most popular instruments in the world and widely used in classical and jazz music. Pianos are used for a variety of different music performances including solo performances, ensemble use and chamber music. They are a very popular instrument for composing and rehearsal and children all over the world are taught to play this beautiful instrument. Traditional pianos are expensive and not certainly not portable. Pianos are also often used as pieces of furniture in larger homes, hotels and restaurants all over the world, this has made them one of the world's most familiar musical instruments. In today's modern world, children are often taught to play using an electronic keyboard as they are much cheaper and very portable. With the popularity of tablet computers and laptops, some amazing computer programs have been written to replicate the keyboard . Very young children can now learn the piano interactively on their ipad or kindle! Apps allow them to choose specific songs; the correct keys are then highlighted when they appropriate note is to be played. This method of teaching makes learning the piano fun for all ages. Learning to press the keys when prompted is child's play however learning to read piano music notation and learning the specific keys that relate to the notes is equally important. Find out about piano music notation in this section.

Music Symbols - Definition of Note
The word note comes from the Latin word 'nota' which means a mark or a sign and is made up of either one, two or three individual parts known as the head, stem and hook. The hook is also called the tail or cross-stroke. Different rules apply to the direction of the stem when more than one part is included in the musical score.

Music Symbols - Facts
Music Symbols Facts....Did you know...

Music Symbols - Bible References
Music was mentioned many times in the bible, the following definition of music symbols is taken from Easton Bible Dictionary.

• Jubal was the inventor of musical instruments (Gen. 4:21). The Hebrews were much given to the cultivation of music. Their whole history and literature afford abundant evidence of this. After the Deluge, the first mention of music is in the account of Laban's interview with Jacob (Gen. 31:27). After their triumphal passage of the Red Sea, Moses and the children of Israel sang their song of deliverance (Ex. 15)
  

• The period of Samuel, David, and Solomon was the golden age of Hebrew music, as it was of Hebrew poetry. Music was now for the first time systematically cultivated. It was an essential part of training in the schools of the prophets (1 Sam. 10:5; 19:19-24; 2 Kings 3:15; 1 Chr. 25:6). There now arose also a class of professional singers (2 Sam. 19:35; Eccl. 2:8). The temple, however, was the great school of music. In the conducting of its services large bands of trained singers and players on instruments were constantly employed (2 Sam. 6:5; 1 Chr. 15; 16; 23;5; 25:1-6)

Dream Explanation - Music Symbols
Hearing harmonious and soothing music in your dream, is a good omen of prosperity, pleasure and the expression of your emotions in a positive way. Music serves to heal the soul. Hearing discordant music in your dream means unhappiness and troubles in the home. 

Music Symbols - Tattoos
Music symbols and notes are a great idea for tattoos. Looking for a unique tattoo design? Why not choose a musical note or incorporate a selection of musical symbols in your own design? A great way to show your interest in the fascinating world of music. Whether your preferred genre is Rock or Classical, Disco or Country, music symbols are a great choice for a tattoo! Browse through our selection of images and check out the meaning of specific symbols.

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