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Music Symbols
What the marks and signs on a page of sheet music tell you to do.
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60 cards
- Treble clefSymbolMarks the G line; used for higher notes
- Bass clefSymbolMarks the F line; used for lower notes
- Alto clefSymbolA C clef used by the viola
- StaffSymbolFive lines and four spaces where notes are written
- Sharp (#)SymbolRaises a note by a half step
- Flat (b)SymbolLowers a note by a half step
- NaturalSymbolCancels a sharp or flat
- Double sharpSymbolRaises a note by two half steps (a whole step)
- Double flatSymbolLowers a note by two half steps
- AccidentalSymbolA sharp, flat or natural added to a note outside the key signature
- Key signatureSymbolSharps or flats at the start telling which notes are altered
- Time signatureSymbolNumbers showing beats per measure and the beat note
- Bar lineSymbolDivides music into measures
- BraceSymbolJoins two staves played together, like piano staves
- Repeat signSymbolPlay the section again
- First and second endingsSymbolBrackets showing different endings on a repeat
- FermataSymbolHold longer than written
- TieSymbolCurved line joining two notes of the same pitch
- SlurSymbolCurved line over different notes for smooth playing
- Staccato dotSymbolPlay short and detached
- Accent (>)SymbolPlay the note louder or with emphasis
- Tenuto lineSymbolHold the note for its full value
- Dotted noteSymbolAdds half its value
- RestSymbolSilence for a set length
- Crescendo hairpinSymbolOpen wedge shape meaning gradually louder
- Decrescendo hairpinSymbolClosing wedge shape meaning gradually softer
- Coda signSymbolMarks a jump to the ending section
- Segno signSymbolMarks a place to return to
- D.C. al FineSymbolGo back to the beginning and play to Fine
- D.S. al CodaSymbolGo back to the sign, then jump to the coda
- 8vaSymbolPlay an octave higher than written
- 8vbSymbolPlay an octave lower than written
- TrillSymbolQuickly alternate between a note and the one above it
- MordentSymbolA quick alternation with the note above or below
- Grace noteSymbolA tiny note played very quickly before the main note
- TurnSymbolA decoration that circles around a note
- GlissandoSymbolA slide from one note to another
- Arpeggio signSymbolA wavy line meaning play the chord notes one after another
- TremoloSymbolRapid repetition of a note or alternation of two notes
- Pedal markingSymbolShows when to press and release the piano sustain pedal
- Ledger lineSymbolShort extra line for notes above or below the staff
- BeamSymbolJoins the flags of several short notes
- StemSymbolThe vertical line attached to a note head
- FlagSymbolThe curved tail on an eighth or shorter note
- Note headSymbolThe oval part of a note
- Triplet bracket (3)SymbolThree notes in the time of two
- Pickup noteSymbolA note before the first full measure
- Final double barSymbolMarks the end of a piece
- Chord symbolSymbolLetters above the staff naming the chord, like C or Am
- Fingering numbersSymbolNumbers showing which finger to use
- Tempo markingSymbolWords or numbers at the start telling how fast to play
- Dynamic markingSymbolLetters like p or f telling how loud
- Breath markSymbolShows where a singer or wind player takes a breath
- Caesura (//)SymbolA short silent break in the music
- Measure numberSymbolA number at the start of a line marking the bar
- Harmonic (small circle)SymbolPlay a string harmonic or a light overtone
- Down bowSymbolPull the bow down on a string instrument
- Up bowSymbolPush the bow up on a string instrument
- Mute markingSymbolUse a mute on the instrument
- SimileSymbolKeep playing in the same manner
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