Intro to Notation

Language existed as purely sound long before any system of writing was created, music's development is no different, it began as an oral tradition until eventually people found a need to write it down. While notating music is not required to make music, there are important advantages to having a written system of notation. Like any written language, having music notated makes it easier to preserve, study, discuss, and share.

There are many systems for writing down music. For example, you may have encountered a popular notation system called tablature, or "TAB", when learning guitar, bass, or ukulele music. But by far the most widespread, detailed, and efficient way to write music is a system most commonly referred to as Standard Notation.