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== Staff ==
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The '''Staff''' is a set of 5 parallel, horizontal lines that form the majority of "ink on the page". These correspond to pitch, with lower pitches towards the lowest line and higher pitches towards the highest. Notes are marked on top of a line, or between a pair of them (called spaces).
== Clef ==
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The '''Clef''' is typically the first marking one notices on the staff. It is one of many large, peculiar looking symbols, whose purpose is to indicate which notes align with the lines of the staff. The most common clefs are the G, C, and F Clefs (commonly known as the Treble, Soprano/Alto/Tenor, and Bass Clefs). The G Clef is used most often, aligning with the range of most classical instruments. Piano commonly uses both a G and an F Clef on two bracketed staffs, with each roughly corresponding to the left and right hands.
== Time Signature ==
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The '''Time Signature''' appears like a fraction, with one number over another, separated by a slanted line. The top number indicates the number of beats per measure, and the bottom number indicates the type of note that equals a single beat. The most common time signature is 4/4, indicating 4 beats per measure, with a quarter (1/4) note equaling one beat.
== Notes and Rhythm ==
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Note markings are vertically aligned on the staff to determine their pitch. Rests are placed in the middle of the staff, as they have no pitch content, only rhythm. The different symbols used to indicate notes and rests determine their duration, in terms of beats (dependent on the time signature). Here are the most common notes:
== Measures ==
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'''Measures''' indicate organization, often numbered to quickly refer to a section or place in the piece. Each measure is bound on the left and right by a pair of vertical lines from the top to bottom of the lines of the staff. Consecutive measures are divided by a single bar between them.
== Repeats and Codas ==
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Some measures are marked with a thick vertical line followed by one of normal size then two vertically-aligned dots (like a colon - ":"). This is called a repeat sign and indicates that this measure or section will be repeated. When the same marks are found in the opposite order, that means to return to the measure with the initial repeat sign. If there is no initial repeat sign, it means to repeat from the beginning. If the measure/section are to be repeated more than once, a multiple is indicated near the final repeat sign (2x, 3x, 4x, etc.) - this indicates the total number of times the passage is to be played. For instance, "4x" or "x4" means to play it once initially, then repeat 3 more times.
== Dynamics and Accents ==
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A ">" symbol above a note indicates to play it accented. A "^" above it indicates an even stronger accent.
== Other Markings ==
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=== Trills ===
A "tr" marking above a note indicates a trill. Rapidly alternate between the given note and the next highest note in the key.
== Sight Reading ==
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'''Sight Reading''' is the ability to play a piece from the notation without any additional information or practice. It is literally someone handing you a piece of music and expecting you to play it as anyone else would. It requires a great deal of functional knowledge about your instrument (keys, range, ability to play certain markings).