Music is written using elements of rhythm, melody, and harmony. Rhythm is represented using notes of different lengths - whole, half, quarter, and eighth notes - organized into measures separated by bar lines. The staff shows pitch, with the lines and spaces representing different musical notes from low to high. Common time and time signatures indicate the beat and number of counts per measure. Together, these elements of music notation allow composers to write down the sounds of music.

1. How is Music Written? Carla Piper, Ed. D.

2. Writing the Sounds of Music Rhythm Melody Harmony

3. The Staff - Rhythm Divided into Equal Parts Musical Timeline Beginning to End Start Finish Bar Line Measure Measure

4. Time Signature 4 counts in each measure Quarter note (1/4) gets 1 count Time Signature 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 4 Time Signature Bar Line Measure

5. Quarter Notes 4 counts in each measure Quarter note gets one count 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 Time Signature Bar Lines Double Bar Line

6. Rhythm Whole Note – long sound - 4 beats long Half Note – medium length - 2 beats long Quarter Note – medium walking sound – 1 beat long Eighth Note – short or fast running sound – ½ beat long

7. Staff Shows Pitch:High and Low Tones From bottom to top shows the pitch of the sound:Low to High Sounds High Sounds Low Sounds Musical notes written on 5 lines and 4 spaces called the staff.

8. The Staff - Melody 5 Lines and 4 Spaces Tells Pitch of Tone Low to High Pitch Low High 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 Lines Spaces 1

9. The Musical Alphabet a b c d e f g Lines – e g b d f Spaces – f a c e Treble Clef Sign f e d c b a g f e Lines Spaces

10. Musical Notes on the Staff 4 4 CDEF GABC C D E F G A B C