Treble clef: Marks the G line; used for higher notes Bass clef: Marks the F line; used for lower notes Alto clef: A C clef used by the viola Staff: Five lines and four spaces where notes are written Sharp (#): Raises a note by a half step Flat (b): Lowers a note by a half step Natural: Cancels a sharp or flat Double sharp: Raises a note by two half steps (a whole step) Double flat: Lowers a note by two half steps Accidental: A sharp, flat or natural added to a note outside the key signature Key signature: Sharps or flats at the start telling which notes are altered Time signature: Numbers showing beats per measure and the beat note Bar line: Divides music into measures Brace: Joins two staves played together, like piano staves Repeat sign: Play the section again First and second endings: Brackets showing different endings on a repeat Fermata: Hold longer than written Tie: Curved line joining two notes of the same pitch Slur: Curved line over different notes for smooth playing Staccato dot: Play short and detached Accent (>): Play the note louder or with emphasis Tenuto line: Hold the note for its full value Dotted note: Adds half its value Rest: Silence for a set length Crescendo hairpin: Open wedge shape meaning gradually louder Decrescendo hairpin: Closing wedge shape meaning gradually softer Coda sign: Marks a jump to the ending section Segno sign: Marks a place to return to D.C. al Fine: Go back to the beginning and play to Fine D.S. al Coda: Go back to the sign, then jump to the coda 8va: Play an octave higher than written 8vb: Play an octave lower than written Trill: Quickly alternate between a note and the one above it Mordent: A quick alternation with the note above or below Grace note: A tiny note played very quickly before the main note Turn: A decoration that circles around a note Glissando: A slide from one note to another Arpeggio sign: A wavy line meaning play the chord notes one after another Tremolo: Rapid repetition of a note or alternation of two notes Pedal marking: Shows when to press and release the piano sustain pedal Ledger line: Short extra line for notes above or below the staff Beam: Joins the flags of several short notes Stem: The vertical line attached to a note head Flag: The curved tail on an eighth or shorter note Note head: The oval part of a note Triplet bracket (3): Three notes in the time of two Pickup note: A note before the first full measure Final double bar: Marks the end of a piece Chord symbol: Letters above the staff naming the chord, like C or Am Fingering numbers: Numbers showing which finger to use Tempo marking: Words or numbers at the start telling how fast to play Dynamic marking: Letters like p or f telling how loud Breath mark: Shows where a singer or wind player takes a breath Caesura (//): A short silent break in the music Measure number: A number at the start of a line marking the bar Harmonic (small circle): Play a string harmonic or a light overtone Down bow: Pull the bow down on a string instrument Up bow: Push the bow up on a string instrument Mute marking: Use a mute on the instrument Simile: Keep playing in the same manner Free flashcards from Peabody at peabody.kids/flashcards/music-symbols