What is a note? What is a note, or Musical literacy for dummies. Seven notes - idyll

Notation is a unique language that all musicians understand. Those who decide to try their hand at music need to get acquainted with this language. Everything is not as complicated as it might seem.

Every musical sound is determined by four physical properties:

1. height
2. duration
3. volume
4. timbre (color)

With the help of musical notation, a musician receives information about all these properties of the sounds that he is going to sing or play on a musical instrument.

Pitch (sound pitch)

All musical sounds are built into a single system - scale. This is a series in which all sounds follow each other in order, from the lowest to the highest sounds or vice versa, from high to low. The scale is divided into parts - octaves, which contain a set of notes: DO, RE, MI, FA, SOL, LA, SI.

If we look at a piano keyboard, then in the center of the keyboard, usually opposite the name, is the first octave. To the right of the first octave, above, is the second octave, then the third, fourth and fifth (consisting of just one note “C”). Below, to the left of the first octave, there is a small octave, a large octave, a contra-octave and a sub-contra-octave (consisting of the white keys A and B).

They are depicted as empty or filled (shaded) ovals – heads. Stems - vertical sticks and tails (tails are called flags) can be added to the heads on the right or left.

If the stem of a note is directed upward, then it is written on the right side, and if downward, on the left. When writing notes, the following rule applies: up to the 3rd line, the stems of the notes should be directed upward, and starting from the 3rd line, downward.

Used for writing and reading notes staff (staff). The staff consists of five parallel lines (rulers) for writing notes, numbered from bottom to top. The notes of a scale are written on a staff: on rulers, under the rulers, or above the rulers. If the main 5 lines are not enough to record a note, then additional lines are introduced, which are added to the top or bottom of the staff. The higher the note sounds, the higher it is located on the rulers. However, if a musical key is not placed on the staff (staff), then the position of the notes on the staff indicates the pitch only approximately: higher or lower.

Musical key is a reference point that indicates the position of a note with a specific defined pitch. The key must be placed at the beginning of any staff. If there is a key, then knowing where one note is written, you can easily determine the position of another note. Music notation is more compact and easier to read when most of the notes are on the main lines of the staff, without additional lines above and below, so there are many musical clefs in music. Despite the fact that the total sound range of various voices and musical instruments is about 8 octaves, the range of an individual voice or musical instrument is usually much narrower, which is reflected in the names of the musical keys: soprano - for the soprano register, alto - for the alto, tenor - for tenor, bass - for bass (abbreviated SATB).

Musical keys can be divided into 3 groups:

Key “Salt”– indicates the location of the note “G” of the first octave. This key comes from the Latin letter G, which stands for the note “Salt”. The “Salt” clefs include the Treble and Old French clefs, they look like this.

Key “Fa”– indicates the location of the note “F” of the small octave. The key to the Latin letter F came from (two dots are two crossbars of the letter F). These include the Bass clef, Basso profundo clef and Baritone clef. They look like this.

Key “Before”– indicates the location of the “C” note of the first octave. Derived from the Latin letter C, which stands for the note “C”. These keys include Soprano (aka Treble) key, Mezzo-soprano, Alto and Baritone keys (The Baritone key can be designated not only by the key of the “F” group, but also by the key of the “Do” group). The “Before” keys look like this:

The following picture shows various music keys

Source - https://commons.wikimedia.org, author - Strunin

There are also neutral keys for drum parts and guitar parts (the so-called tablature).

Notes intended to be played by a group of musicians are often combined into scores, in which each instrument, voice, or part is assigned a separate line, a separate staff. The entire score is first united by a solid vertical starting line, and the staves of several parts or groups of instruments are united by a special bracket - accolade.

The accolade comes in the form of a curly or square (straight) bracket. A figured accolade combines parts performed by one musician (for example, two lines of a piano, organ, etc.), and a square accolade combines lines of parts of different musicians who make up a single group (for example, music for an ensemble of string instruments or a choir).

The end of the score or some part is indicated in the notes by a double vertical line. If, in addition to the double line, there are also two points nearby between the staff lines ( signs reprises), then this indicates that the entire work or some section needs to be repeated.

In the notes there may be dotted lines with a figure eight (octave transfer signs). They mean that everything within the range of these lines must be played an octave higher or lower. These octave marks are needed to simplify the reading of very high/low notes, which require many additional rulers to write.

The main musical levels include 7 sounds: DO, RE, MI, FA, SOL, LA, SI. On the piano, to find these musical steps, you need to focus on the black keys, which are arranged in groups of two, three, two, three. Under any such group, on the left, there is the note “C” and then there are other notes.

There are also derivatives steps(modified fundamental), which are obtained by raising or lowering the sound of the main step by a semitone. A semitone is the distance between any two adjacent sounds (keys) on a piano keyboard. Most often it will be a black key on the right or left. Modified steps are of two types:

• Sharp is an increase by a semitone.
• Flat – lowered by a semitone.

Changing the main steps is called alteration. There are only five accidental signs: sharp, flat, double-sharp, double-flat and becar.

A double-sharp raises the sound by two semitones (i.e., a whole tone), a double-flat lowers the sound by two semitones (i.e., a whole tone), and a bekar cancels any of the listed signs (a “clean” note is played without raising or downgrade).

There can be two types of alterations in notes:

1. Random signs - the accidental sign is written immediately before the note that needs to be changed and is valid only in that place or bar.
2. Key signs are sharps and flats, which are written at the beginning of each line near the key and are valid every time a given sound is encountered, in any octave and throughout the entire work.

Key signs are displayed strictly in a certain order:

The order of sharps is FA DO sol re la mi si

The order of the flats is B MI A A D SOL DO F

Duration

Note durations relate to the realm of rhythm and musical time. Musical time is special, it flows in even beats and is comparable, rather, to the beating of the heart. Usually one such beat is associated with a quarter note. Notes can contain at least two types of musical durations: even and odd, and not only notes have durations, but also pauses(signs of silence).

1. Even musical duration– are formed by dividing a larger duration by the number 2 or 2 n (2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, etc.). The basis for division is taken to be a whole note, which is usually calculated when playing (we count mentally or out loud to 4) into 4 beats. Identical “tailed” eighth or sixteenth notes are often combined into groups under one edge.

The following figure shows the notes, the name of their durations, and on the right are pauses of the same size.

1. Odd musical duration are formed from crushing the duration not into two equal halves, but into three or any other number of segments, up to 18-19 segments. This is how, for example, triplets are formed (when divided into three beats) or quintuplets (when divided into five beats).

There are three ways to extend notes and rests:

Dotted rhythm(dotted note) is a dotted rhythm. Dots are placed to the right of the note or rest icon and lengthen the sound by exactly half the duration of the note or rest. So, for a half note with a dot, the duration will be not two, but three beats, etc. There can also be a note with two dots: the first dot extends its duration by half, and the second dot extends its duration by another 1/4, i.e. such a note is extended by 3/4 of its duration.

- that icon that asks you to delay the highlighted note or pause as much as the performer feels necessary. Most musicians are inclined to believe that fermata also lengthens the note by half (you can take this as a rule). Fermata, unlike rhythm, does not affect tact time; this is an additional bonus that slows down the usual movement.

Uniting league– connects two or more notes that are at the same pitch and follow each other. Notes under the league are not repeated, but are combined into one duration. By the way, breaks are not combined into leagues.

Musical time is very well organized; in its organization, in addition to beats, larger units - measures - are involved. Tact- this is a segment from one strong beat to the next, it contains an exactly specified number of beats. Measures are distinguished visually by separating one from the other with a vertical bar line.

The number of beats in a measure and the duration of each of them is reflected using the numerical size, which is indicated immediately after the key characters at the beginning of the work. Size is expressed using two numbers placed one above the other, as if in the form of a fraction.

The meter 4/4 (four quarters) means that there are four beats in a measure, each of the beats is equal in duration to a quarter note. One thing to remember is that these quarter notes can be broken down into eighths or sixteenths, or combined into half notes or a whole note. The meter 3/8 (three eighth notes) means that it can also accommodate three eighth notes, which can be divided into sixteenth notes or combined into larger notes. For beginners, musical notation usually operates in simple sizes 2/4, 3/4, etc.

The movement of the lobes can be fast or slow. The speed of movement of beats (performance of a piece) is called pace works. Tempo is most often indicated by an Italian word and placed under the meter in sheet music. Also, next to the tempo, a metronome indication can be placed: quarter duration = numerical value. This means that the tempo of a given piece is the “numerical value” of beats (beats) per minute. A metronome is a pendulum with a weight and a scale; it shows the exact number of beats per minute and looks like this.

The rates may be as follows:

• Slow
  • Grave – hard, important, very slow
  • Largo – wide, very slow
  • Adagio – slowly, calmly
  • Lento – slow, quiet
• Moderate
  • Andante – calm, walking pace
  • Moderato - moderate
• Fast
  • Allegro – soon, fun
  • Vivo – lively
  • Vivace - lively
  • Presto - fast

Volume

Volume is one of the most important properties of musical sound. Volume is indicated in the notes in spaces between staves by the following words or symbols in Italian:

A gradual change in volume is indicated as follows:

• crescendo - crescendo - gradual increase in volume
• diminuendo - diminuendo - gradual decrease in volume

Sometimes, instead of the words crescendo and diminuendo, “forks” are placed in notes, meaning that you need to gradually increase or decrease the volume.

A widening fork means crescendo, and a narrowing fork means diminuendo.

Timbre

Timbre is the color of sound. Timbre distinguishes sounds of the same pitch and volume, performed on different instruments, by different voices, or on the same instrument, but in different ways. With the help of timbre, you can highlight one or another component of the musical whole, strengthen or weaken contrasts.

The notes usually contain various indications about the timbre of sounds: the name of the instrument or voice for which this piece is intended, turning the pedals on and off on the piano, techniques for producing sound (harmonics on the violin).

If there is a vertical wavy line before the chords in the musical notation, this means that the sounds of the chord should not be played simultaneously, but arpeggiato, as if broken up, plucked, as it would sound on a harp or harp.

Under the bass staff there may be a beautiful inscription Ped. and an asterisk - they indicate the moment the pedal is turned on and off on the piano.

In addition to these technical elements, the notes may contain many composer, verbal, and indications of the nature of the performance, for example:

• Appassionato - passionately
• Cantabile - melodiously
• Dolce - tenderly
• Lacrimoso - tearful
• Mesto - sad
• Risoluto - decisively
• Secco - dry
• Semplice - simple
• Tranquillo - calm
• Sotto voce - in a low voice

Another important element in a musical text is the strokes. Hatch- this is an indication of a specific method of sound production, a method of articulation, which greatly influences the overall character of the performance of the work. There are many strokes, they differ between violinists and pianists. Three universal strokes:

• non legato – disjointed performance
• legato – smooth, coherent playing
• staccato – abrupt, short performance

NOTE
Meaning:

1. A graphic representation of a musical sound, as well as the sound itself. Hit a high note.

2. pl. The text of a musical work, graphically depicted. Reveal the notes. Play according to the rules. Musical - relating to notes2.

3. trans. Hue, tone of speech, expressing something. feeling. With a note of anxiety in his voice. Note - decrease to n.||Wed. INTONATION.

A diplomatic appeal from one government to another. Give a note. N. protest.||Wed. MEMORANDUM, NOTIFICATION.

Dictionary of foreign words

Meaning:

n O that

1) Graphic representation of musical sound.

a) A separate sound of a certain pitch in music and singing.

b) transfer Hue, tone of speech, expressing something. feeling.

An official diplomatic address from one government to another.

Modern explanatory dictionary ed. "Great Soviet Encyclopedia"

NOTE

Meaning:

(from Latin nota - sign, remark), an official diplomatic document that formalizes various issues of relations between states (statement of protest, notification of a fact, etc.).

S.I. Ozhegov, N.Yu. Shvedova Explanatory dictionary of the Russian language

note

Meaning:

NOTA, -y, w.

1. A graphic symbol representing a musical sound, as well as the sound itself. Read notes. Hit a high note. A note lower!(translated: speak quietly, don’t shout; colloquial joke.). talk on high notes(translated: loudly and irritably).

2. pl. h. The text of a musical work, graphically depicted. Play by ~m. As per ~m(clearly, without deviations from what was planned in advance).

3. trans. Hue, tone of speech, expressing something. feeling. N. displeasure in the voice.

| decrease note, -i, w. (to 1 and 3 values).

| adj. musical notation, -th, -th (to 1 and 2 values). Musical notation. Music writing.

II. NOTE, -y, w. An official diplomatic address from one government to another. Verbal n. N. protest.

| adj. musical notation, oh, oh.

Small Academic Dictionary of the Russian Language

note

Meaning:

Y, and.

Conventional graphic sign of some kind. musical sound.

Bass note. Note "do".

The very sound in music or singing.

(Alexandra Mikhailovna) lovingly followed every note of my voice. --- Until now, I have never sung in front of her. Dostoevsky, Netochka Nezvanova.

From the first to the last note, the opera (“Ivan Susanin”) breathes lively Russian song. Kabalevsky, About three whales and much more.

3. pl. h.(notes, notes).

The text of a musical work recorded in conventional graphic characters, as well as a notebook, book, etc., consisting of such texts.

Sing according to the notes. Put it on notes. Notes folder.

Once upon a time she played it (the piano), looking at the yellowed notes with titles in curlicues. Bunin, Sukhodol.

And the same notes lie on the piano: the overture to “The Queen of Spades” and the romance “For the Shores of the Distant Fatherland.” Paustovsky, Snow.

4. what or which.

Tone, intonation, shade of speech in which something is manifested. feeling, attitude of the speaker to the subject or topic of conversation.

The letter designation of notes historically arose earlier than their recording on rulers; and now musicians write down notes in letters, only now with the help of letter notation it is possible to record not only sounds, but also entire musical systems - chords, keys, modes.

Initially, the Greek alphabet was used to write notes, later they began to write notes in Latin letters. Here are the letters that correspond to the main seven sounds: c [tse] – before; d [de] – re; e [e] – mi; f [ef] – fa; g [ge] – salt; a [a] – la; h [ha] – si.

Only for one sound - B-flat– an exception has been established to this rule; the letter is used to denote it b [be] without any endings, while the sound B sharp is called according to the rule, that is his [his]. Another feature concerns the designation of sounds E-flat and A-flat- they are not designated ees and aes, but just es [es] and as [as], that is, they shorten the second vowel letter, while the sounds E-sharp and A-sharp will be written according to the rule, that is eis [eis] and ais [ais].

Any professional musician knows this notation system and uses it every day. The designation of notes by letters in jazz and pop music has its own characteristics.

The letter designation of notes in jazz is a little simplified compared to the system that we examined. The first difference is that the letter h is not used at all, the sound B is indicated by the letter b (and not just B-flat). The second difference is that no endings are added to indicate sharps and flats, but simply a sharp or flat sign is placed next to the letter.

So now you know how to write notes in letters. In the following articles you will learn about the letter designation of keys and chords. Subscribe to updates so you don't miss these articles. And now, as always, I suggest you listen to good music. Today it will be the music of the French composer Camille Saint-Saens.

C. Saint-Saens “Carnival of Animals” – “Aquarium”

In the life of almost every person, not only food, sleep, socialization and salary play a huge role, but also music. The notes of a familiar song can make us cry, laugh with happiness, or think about a variety of topics. You can feel nostalgic with your whole group while listening to your favorite music, read wonderful books, or spend unforgettable time together.

Seven notes - idyll

Everyone knows how many notes there are, and therefore one cannot help but be amazed at the variety and beauty of new melodies that never cease to be composed. It would seem that what else new can be invented in music that consists of only seven notes? All the moves have already been played out, all the styles have long been invented and successfully used, the most amazing vocal abilities no longer amaze anyone as much as before. However, it continues to develop, the musicians do not lose hope, and the vocalists sing all seven notes in different registers and keys.

The importance of notes and the uniqueness of music

The question of what a note is may seem stupid even to those people who are far from reading music. This, however, does not mean that these people will be able to answer it easily. Many people understand the meaning of this word, but not everyone can explain it. A note is a specific pitch, duration, or quality of sound. Notes are used in musical notation and represent special graphic symbols. These signs were invented to literally write down music on sheets of paper. Some professionals can read music immediately, creating it in the same way as we read out loud. Of course, to be able to do this, you need to study for a long time at a music school, from which you should move to a conservatory and also study a lot and persistently. For professional musicians, notes mean as much as the letters of the Cyrillic alphabet mean to us. Music in letters - that's what a note is. This is exactly how this word can be explained to young children.

The devil is not as simple as he is painted

If it may seem to someone that musical literacy is a simple thing, and any mortal can easily learn it on their own, then he will be completely wrong. Music notation is the same science as theoretical physics. Much depends primarily on how diligently you learn all the symbols and symbols, as well as on how often you pick up a music book. Here you won’t be able to just put it under your pillow and wake up with a full understanding of this letter. You will never remember it the way you remember the multiplication table - easily and simply. Knowing what a note is, you also need to be able to sing it with a specific duration and in a certain key. As a rule, if someone manages to master this science well, he will develop very well. Anyone who understands what a note is and is able to sing it out loud can be quite proud that no bear has stepped on his ear.

When a mouse stepped on your ear

True, it also happens that a person knows musical notation perfectly and reads music “from sight”, but cannot repeat the melody with his voice, no matter how hard he tries. A person knows that the note “E” sounds lower than the note “A”, can determine by ear which of them is audible, but still does not understand why he cannot duplicate it with his own. This phenomenon is less common than a complete lack of hearing for music, and is a milder form of musical “hearing loss.” These people usually know when they're missing the notes, but they can't tell exactly what they need to correct in order to sing them correctly. An example can be given: a person who has studied German for several months will understand much of what is said to him, but is unlikely to be able to communicate in German. He will perceive someone’s speech, react to it somehow, but will not be able to put his thoughts into sentences. The same thing happens with people who have a partial ear for music.

A Guide for Beginning Musicians

Listening to a large number of musical compositions and repeating after your favorite vocalists will always help you understand what a note is and how to sing it correctly. Of course, if you suffer from a lack of musical ear, you are unlikely to catch yourself singing incorrectly. It is advisable to take a couple of lessons from a vocal teacher who will talk about your musical problems and advise the right strategy for eliminating them. Recording yourself singing or playing a musical instrument on a voice recorder also helps some people pay attention to their musical shortcomings. The main thing is not to be afraid to make mistakes, try the same thing several hundred times until everything turns out perfect. In music, as in any other science, you need to be persistent and diligent, and then all seven notes will obey you, and perhaps you will become one of the greatest composers of the new century. Don’t give up, learn musical notation, love music and believe in yourself. Art will make any life more beautiful.

1) signature (or personal) - an official letter, having the nature of a binding international document, sent by a diplomatic representative to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (or his deputy) of the host country and, conversely, by the Minister of Foreign Affairs (or his deputy) to the diplomatic representative of a foreign state. In international practice, sending a signature N. means that the issue being treated in it is given serious importance. After presenting the factual side of the matter, N. ends with a cliche formula of politeness. If what is said in H. is not enough for a detailed presentation or coverage of the issue, memorandum(see) with justification for the above provisions, presentation of documentary, reference and digital material, legal argumentation, etc.

2) Verbal N. is less formal and solemn in nature and treats issues of relatively secondary importance. It is drawn up in a third party on behalf of the diplomatic mission sending it and is addressed to the department of foreign affairs or vice versa. The verbal note has no signature and is entitled: “Note Verbale”. Verbal N. is usually brief, not exceeding one or two pages. It is also used as a covering letter for a memorandum or as a reminder to expect a response to previous N. or oral demarches.

3) Circular N. - a note addressed simultaneously to several powers. An example of such a note is the famous appeal of the Russian Chancellor Gorchakov dated 30. X 1870, informing other powers that Russia no longer considers the conditions of the Treaty of Paris, which limited its sovereign rights in the Black Sea, to be valid (see. Gorchakov circulars).

Diplomatic Dictionary. - M.: State Publishing House of Political Literature. A. Ya. Vyshinsky, S. A. Lozovsky. 1948 .

See what "NOTA" is in other dictionaries:

- (lat. nota). 1) in music: a written representation of sound. 2) written diplomatic relations between embassies. 3) in trade: invoice for goods sold. Dictionary of foreign words included in the Russian language. Chudinov A.N., 1910. NOTE 1) musical... ... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language

note- y, w. note f. lat. nota. 1. Conventional graphic sign for recording musical sounds and their pitch and rhythmic relationships. BASS 1. 2. A separate sound of a certain pitch in music and singing. BAS 1. || Key, fret, valve of a musical instrument... Historical Dictionary of Gallicisms of the Russian Language

1. NOTE, s; and. [from lat. nota sign, remark] 1. Graphic sign for writing which letter. musical sound. Note C. Know, read notes. Write a note. 2. The sound itself in music or singing. Play the sonata from the first to the last note. She is sensitive... ... encyclopedic Dictionary

Cm … Synonym dictionary

- (lat. notas note, letter) one of the most commonly used written diplomatic acts, a document of diplomatic correspondence, and in some cases a form of concluding an international treaty (carried out through the exchange of notes). By … Legal dictionary

- (from the Latin nota sign, remark), in law an official diplomatic document that formalizes various issues of relations between states (statement of protest, notification, etc.). Exchange of notes form of conclusion of international... ... Modern encyclopedia

Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary

1. NOTA1, sheet music, female. (lat. nota sign). 1. Graphic representation of musical sound (music). 2. The very sound in music and singing (music). Hit a high note. 3. only plural The text of a piece of music in musical notation. Play according to notes, without notes. ||… … Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary

In banking practice, a synonym for bonds, the fact of debt recognition. Dictionary of financial terms... Financial Dictionary

Note- see Diplomatic note; Exchange of notes... Encyclopedia of Law

NOTE- (Latin nota sign, remark) document of diplomatic correspondence. In international practice, a distinction is usually made between personal and verbal N. The first has the form of a letter, drawn up on behalf of the person signing it. It begins with an appeal to the person who... ... Legal encyclopedia

Books

• , Oleg Dorman. "Nota" is the second book by Oleg Dorman, whose "Interlinear" became a major event in both television and literary life. This unusual autobiography combines the charisma of Rudolf Barshai,…
• Note. The life of Rudolf Barshai, as told by him in the film by Oleg Dorman, Dorman Oleg. Conductor Rudolf Barshai belonged to the galaxy of great musicians of the 20th century. The Moscow Chamber Orchestra, which he created in the late fifties, captivated audiences all over the world. Permanent partners...