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Understanding Notation
Analyzing the notes and chords of a song is a major part of music theory.
Official classification: Understanding Notation, Interactive Activities, Key Stage 4, Chord progressions, Curriculum support, Musictheory.net
In this analysis, we will be examining bars 48-50 of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata (Opus 27, Number 2, Movement 1).
Official classification: Understanding Notation, Interactive Activities, Key Stage 4, Chord progressions, Curriculum support, Musictheory.net
Vertical black lines called bar lines divide the staff into bars.
Official classification: Understanding Notation, Interactive Activities, Key Stage 4, Time Signatures, Curriculum support, 4c Listening, and applying knowledge and understanding - processes and symbols, Musictheory.net
In this analysis, we will be looking at the first few bars of Auld Lang Syne, a traditional Scottish ballad.
Official classification: Understanding Notation, Interactive Activities, Key Stage 4, Chord progressions, Curriculum support, Musictheory.net
An introduction to 3/4 that includes gently swaying from side to side. There are three
sections: the first and second are similar (although not identical) and the last is
diff erent.
Notes used: G, D, A,
Key: D major
Learning points: time signature 3/4
dotted minims
tempo/style indication
reinforces pause
Official classification: Cello, Movement (Clapping, Tapping, Dance, Body percussion), Pieces, 3/4, Dotted Minim, Wider opps, Resource Packs
Beethoven’s classic fi nale goes well on the clarinet.
Notes used: C, D, E, F, G
Key: concert Bb major
Learning points: dotted crotchet/quaver rhythm
quaver rest
breath marks
Official classification: Pieces, Bb Clarinet, Dotted Crotchet, Quaver, Wider opps, Resource Packs
There are three possible stages to this piece:
1. Split into two groups to perform Parts 1 and 2;
2. Swap parts;
3. Play both parts throughout.
The piece introduces quavers using the name of the clarinet.
Notes used: C, D, E, F, G
Key: concert Bb major
Learning points: quavers
reinforces C, D, E, F, G
Official classification: Pieces, Bb Clarinet, Quaver, Wider opps, Resource Packs
This familiar nursery rhyme has been given a cheeky accompaniment to enable older children to play a young child’s tune without losing their pride! Divide the class into two groups: one plays while the other makes the Baas – swap parts when the tune repeats. Everyone plays the last bar.
Key: G major
Learning points:
- reinforces notes B, A, G
- semibreve
- tempo/style indication
Official classification: Fife, Animal Sounds, Animals, Nursery Rhymes, Pieces, Semibreve, Wider opps, Resource Packs
An introduction to 3/4 that includes gently swaying from side to side. The bar
immediately after the swaying is deliberately empty to allow students to get back
into a good playing position.
Key: G major
Learning points:
time signature 3/4
breath marks
reinforces dotted minim
Official classification: Fife, Pieces, 3/4, Wider opps, Resource Packs
This familiar nursery rhyme has been given a cheeky accompaniment to enable
older children to play a young child’s tune without losing their pride! Divide the
class into two groups: one plays while the other provides the Baas – swap parts
when the tune repeats. Everyone plays the last bar.
Notes used: G, A, B
Key: G major
Learning points: reinforces notes B, A, G
semibreve
Official classification: Flute Family, Flute, Animal Sounds, Animals, Nursery Rhymes, Pieces, Semibreve, Wider opps, Resource Packs
An introduction to 3/4 that includes gently swaying from side to side. The bar
immediately after the swaying is deliberately empty to allow students to get back
into a good playing position. The piece requires frequently moving between
intervals of a third: make sure – when students are placing or lifting more than one
finger at once – that the fingers move exactly together. No extra note should be
heard between the intended ones! Discuss the similarities and diff erences
between the three sections of the piece. .
Notes used: F, G, A, B
Key: G major
Learning points: time signature 3/4
whole bar rest in 3/4
Official classification: Flute Family, Flute, Pieces, 3/4, Wider opps, Resource Packs
This familiar nursery rhyme has been given a cheeky accompaniment to enable
older children to play a young child’s tune without losing their pride! Divide the
class into two groups: one plays while the other provides the Baas – swap parts
when the tune repeats. Everyone plays the last bar.
Notes used: G, A, B
Key: G major
Time signature: 4/4
Note values: semibreve, crotchet
Rest values: semibreve rest, crotchet rest
Anything else? Baas!
Official classification: Recorder Family, Soprano/descant, Animal Sounds, Animals, Nursery Rhymes, Pieces, Semibreve, Resource Packs
This duet introduces the note F. Dynamics are echoed from part to part. Part 2 is
easier than Part 1: it uses only notes C and F. The pause at the end lasts for seven
beats.
Notes used: Part 1 – C, F, G;
Part 2 – C, F
Key: concert Eb
Learning points: new note F, dotted minim, pause, reading from two staves
Official classification: Trombone (treble clef), Dynamics, Pieces, Dotted Minim, Echo, Wider opps, Resource Packs
Here’s some more practice at playing the five notes C, D, E, F, G.
Notes used: C, D, E, F, G
Key: concert Bb
Learning points: dotted crotchet/quaver rhythm, dynamics: mf
Official classification: Trombone (treble clef), Christmas, Pieces, Dotted Crotchet, Quaver, Mezzoforte Moderately Loud, Wider opps, Resource Packs
This traditional song from North America has been given a gory middle section
which reinforces different note-lengths (semibreve/minim/crotchet/quavers).
These four bars could be played as an ostinato on untuned percussion throughout
the piece.
Notes used: C, D, E, F, G
Key: concert Bb
Learning points: reinforces note values: semibreve, dotted minim, minim, crotchet, quavers
Official classification: Trombone (treble clef), Ostinato, Folk Songs, Pieces, Semibreve, Dotted Minim, Crotchets, Quaver, Wider opps, Resource Packs
This duet introduces the note F. Dynamics are echoed from part to part. Part 2 is
easier than Part 1: it uses only notes C and F. The pause at the end lasts for seven
beats.
Notes used: Part 1 – C, F, G; Part 2 – C, F
Key: concert Eb
Learning points: new note F
dotted minim
pause
reading from two staves
Official classification: Trumpet, Pieces, Dotted Minim, Echo, Wider opps, Resource Packs
Here’s some more practice at playing the five notes C, D, E, F, G.
Notes used: C, D, E, F, G
Key: concert Bb
Official classification: Trumpet, Christmas, Pieces, Dotted Crotchet, Quaver, Mezzoforte Moderately Loud, Wider opps, Resource Packs
This traditional song from North America has been given a gory middle section
which reinforces di erent note-lengths (semibreve/minim/crotchet/quavers).
These four bars could be played as an ostinato on untuned percussion throughout
the piece.
Notes used: C, D, E, F, G
Key: concert Bb
Learning points: reinforces note values: semibreve, dotted minim, minim,
crotchet, quavers
Official classification: Trumpet, Ostinato, Folk Songs, Pieces, Semibreve, Dotted Minim, Crotchets, Quaver, Wider opps, Resource Packs
An introduction to 3/4 that includes gently swaying from side to side. There are
three sections: the rst and second are similar (although not identical) and the last
is di fferent.
Notes used: G, D, A, E
Key: D major
Learning points: time signature 3/4
dotted minims
tempo/style indication
reinforces pause
Official classification: Violin, Movement (Clapping, Tapping, Dance, Body percussion), Pieces, 3/4, Dotted Minim, Wider opps, Resource Packs
Here’s an impressive performance duet. The ‘three threes’ in the title refer to the
3-bar phrases in 3/4 (think of it in 12/8). The three sections (ABA) are played
arco/pizz/arco. Section A – both times it comes – is in clear 3-bar phrases. Section B
has three 3-bar phrases, then an 8-bar phrase to lead in to the recap.
Notes used: G, D, A, E
Key: G major
Learning points: duet in 3/4
rall, a tempo
Official classification: Violin, Tempo, Ternary(ABA), Pieces, 3/4, Wider opps, Resource Packs