Simple Music Notation for Transcribing Music

Music Notation is a must for every aspiring musician. The importance of different shades of volume used in music shows the contrast between the soft and loud passages that are being played.

The Timber and texture of the music depends,upon the various approaches and techniques used to beautify the music. The difference between midi programming and orchestration is vast.

Let us now look at the different Signs Dynamics and Symbols used in music.

The different Dynamics applied to music.

ppp-means-pianissimo-very very soft.

pp -means-pianissimo-very soft.

p -means-piano-soft

mp -means-mezzo-piano-moderately soft

mf -means-mezzo-forte-moderately loud

f -means-forte-loud

fp -means-forte-piano-sudden loud burst then soft

sfz-means-sforzando-extra volume and hold volume for the full note

ff -means-fortissimo-very loud

fff-fortississimo-very very loud

Whenever any of these markings are placed below the intended note, play the same volume until the next dynamic change is brought about.

When the volume is to be played gradually from soft(p) to loud a Crescendo/cres. is used, this is the symbol used pA diminuendo is used when the volume is intended to be played softer a f>pp is used.

Poco a Poco literally means little by little. If a ff sign is used with a poco a poco it means to little by little get slowly louder.

Molto means much. When used with a crescendo it means to intensify the volume.

Music Notation- Tempos-Speed in music

Generally the speed or tempos in music are indicated by numbers(BPM) e.g d-98 or by the written word in Italian. All these help to indicate how the music is to be played.

The beats per minute(BPM) tells us how fast or slow the music should be played.

The Metronome markings:

The metronome is used to help keep a steady pulse in the tempo. When the tempo is set to d-120 this steady beat is set for the musician to follow.

Metronomes now come in different variations there are the electronic, digital or the mechanical ones.

Italian Names indicating tempos in music notation.

Largo-Very Slow= 40-60

Adagio-Slow= 60-76

Larghetto-slower than Largo=60-66

Andante-at a Walking Pace=76-108

Moderato-at a Medium Tempo=108-120

Allegro-Fast=120-168

Presto-Very Fast=168-200

Rubato- to play the music freely and to maximize/bring out more of the expression.

Accelerando(accel)- increase the speed of the tempo.

Ritenuto(rit)-to gradually slow down the tempo.

Allargando-means to slow down to decrease the tempo.

A Tempo- return to the normal tempo.

Ad Libitum-to be played freely.

Moods-Terms used in music notation:

Comedy's, Marches, Suspense, Love music all create the mood in music. This mood reflects the scenes and give life and vibrancy to the music. These are some of the common terms that are used.

agitato-agitated.

con-brio-played with brilliance.

con fuoco-played with fire.

con spirito-with Vigour.

dolce-played Sweetly.

tranquillo-played with tranquillity.

vivace-lively and fast.

assai-sufficiently.

molto-much.

meno-less.

ma non troppo-not too much.

piu-more

un poco- a little by little

e-and

Summary of music notation:

Go through all the terms, Moods, Tempos, speeds etc of this lesson. Commit it to memory as it will be very useful for you to know the terms and lingo that is used in music.

In every sheet of music there will definitely be all these notations written on it.

We will now proceed to our next interesting lesson on Guitar Music Notes.

Guitar Music Notes

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