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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).=== Ledger Lines ===
=== Sometimes notes have pitch lower or higher than the lowest or highest line of the staff. To accommodate this, the notation uses '''Ledger Lines ===''', additional lines drawn above or below the staff. Unlike the staff, however, ledger lines are short line fragments that are only as long as necessary for one or several consecutive notes that do not fit on the staff. The number of lines drawn is however many are necessary to get from the lowest note on the staff to the note desired - in some cases it can be a lot.
Sometimes notes have pitch lower or higher than the lowest or highest line of the staff. To accommodate this, the notation uses === Key and Accidentals === The '''Ledger LinesKey''', additional lines drawn above is implied by a series of sharp or below flat symbols on the staff. Unlike lines/spaces after the staff, however, ledger lines are short line fragments that are only as long as necessary for one clef (or several consecutive notes that do not fit on their absence in the staffkeys of C Major or A Minor). The number of lines drawn is however many are necessary They indicate to get from play the lowest sharped/flatted note for any note appearing on that line or space throughout the staff to the note desired - in some cases it can be a lotentire piece, until another key marking is indicated.
=== Key and Accidentals ===The key indicated can be overridden in any individual measure by using sharp, flat, or natural symbols to the left of the note. Once a single such marking appears, ''that variant'' of ''that note'' will persist for the duration of the measure without additional markings; however, it can still be overridden within the measure.
The '''Key''' is implied by a series of sharp or flat symbols on the staff lines/spaces after the clef (or their absence in the keys of C Major or A Minor). They indicate to play the sharped/flatted note for any note appearing on that line or space throughout the entire piece, until another key marking is indicated.
The key indicated can be overridden in any individual measure by using sharp, flat, or natural symbols to the left of the note. Once a single such marking appears, ''that variant'' of ''that note'' will persist for the duration of the measure without additional markings; however, it can still be overridden within the measure.
[[File:Compound duple drum pattern.png|200px]]
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|Classical_Notation_and_Sight-Reading#Sight Reading|Sight Reading
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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).
[[File:Music-staff.svg|100px]]
[[File:Ledger lines.svg|200px]]
{|
[[File:G-flat-major e-flat-minor.svg|100px]]
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|Classical_Notation_and_Sight-Reading#Sight Reading|Sight Reading
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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.
The time signature not only determines the speed of the piece, by aligning the note markings to each beat of the tempo, but implies the rhythm or meter of the piece. The measures should roughly align to discrete musical ideas (melodies, harmonic progressions, etc.). By determining the number of beats per measure, the time signature creates a visual organization to the piece.
[[File:Compound duple drum pattern.png|200px]]
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