Overview
This module introduces how pitch is notated in standard music notation. Students will learn to identify and name pitches by letter in the treble clef, bass clef, and on the grand staff. By the end of the module, students will be able to give correct letter names for notes on the staff, as well as notes up to one ledger line above and below the staff.
Objectives
By the end of this module you should be able to:
- Give letter names for pitches notated in treble clef (up to one ledger above or below)
- Give letter names for pitches notated in bass clef (up to one ledger above or below)
- Place given pitches on a treble or bass staff
- Give letter names for pitches notated on the grand staff (up to one ledger above or below)
Key Terms
- Pitch
- How high or low a sound is (our perception of frequency).
- Duration
- How long a sound or silence lasts; patterns of durations create rhythm.
- Frequency
- The number of vibrations per second in a sound wave, measured in hertz (Hz).
- Octave
- The interval between two notes where one has double or half the other’s frequency. For example A (110Hz) to A (220Hz).
- Staff
- Horizontal lines (usually five) used to notate pitch.
- Notehead
- The oval part of a note placed on a line or space to show pitch
- Treble Clef
- A stylized \"G\" placed on a staff, usually used by higher-pitched instruments and voices.
- Bass Clef
- A stylized \"F\" placed on a staff, usually used by lower-pitched instruments and voices.
- Grand Staff
- Treble and bass staves joined by a brace and a barline. Common for keyboard music like piano.
- Ledger Line
- A short horizontal line to help notate pitches that fall above or below a given staff.