Master the Language of Music: Essential Notes and Symbols

Decode the complex world of music notation with this comprehensive guide

Annette McDermott

Annette is a freelance writer and published children's author.

Updated February 10, 2025

If you're learning to read music, you may be overwhelmed by the large number of musical notes and symbols that exist. Even seasoned music professionals are sometimes confused by a symbol or forget what it means. If you're struggling with understanding notes and symbols, print out this handy chart for easy reference.

Common Notes and Symbols in Music

There are many types of music notes to help you decipher a musical composition. The following table lists some of the most commonly found music notes and symbols and their meanings. Keep in mind that all note and rest beat values assume a 4/4 time signature. Scroll past the main chart to find the printable version.

Symbol	Name	Description
Image Credit Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons Public Domain Image Quarter Note	Quarter note	Note is played for one beat.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow quarter rest	Quarter rest	Rest (do not play) for one beat.
Image Credit Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons Public Domain Image Half Note	Half note	Note is held for two beats.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow half rest	Half rest	Rest for two beats.
Image Credit Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons Public Domain Image Whole Note	Whole note	Note is held for four beats.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow whole rest	Whole rest	Rest for four beats.
Image Credit Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons Public Domain Image Eighth Note	Eighth note	Note is played for 1/2 a beat.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow eighth rest	Eighth rest	Rest for 1/2 a beat.
Image Credit Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons Public Domain Image Sixteenth Note	Sixteenth note	Note is played for 1/4 of a beat.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow sixteenth rest	Sixteenth rest	Rest for 1/4 of a beat.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow thirty second note	Thirty-second note	Note is played for 1/8 of a beat.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow thirty second rest	Thirty-second rest	Rest for 1/8 of a beat.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow sixty fourth note	Sixty-fourth note	Note is played for 1/16 of a beat.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow sixty fourth rest	Sixty-fourth rest	Rest for 1/16th of a beat.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow dotted half note	Dotted note or rest	Add half the beat value of the note or rest. For example, a dotted half note equals three beats.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow beamed notes	Beamed notes	Eighth, sixteenth, thirty-second, and sixty-fourth notes may be connected in groups by a beam. This makes the notes easier to read and helps organize the music.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow tied notes	Tied notes	A tie connects two or more notes and their beat values together. Tied notes should be played as a single note and held for the length of their combined beats.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow triplets	Triplets	Triplets divide one beat into three equal beats.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow grace note	Grace notes	A grace note is an extra note added for flare and is not a necessary part of a music composition. It does not have a specific beat value but is played rapidly prior to a valued note's beat.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow broken chord / arpeggio	Broken chord	Also called an arpeggio, a broken chord symbol means to play the notes of the chord separate (from bottom to top) instead of at the same time.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow staff	Staff	Consists of five lines and four spaces. Notes are written on the lines, in the spaces and above and below the staff. Each line and space represents a note on the musical scale.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow bar line	Bar line	A bar line divides the musical staff into measures.
Image Credit Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons Public Domain Image Treble clef on music staff	Treble clef	Also called the "G" clef, this symbol is found at the beginning of a music staff and represents treble notes.
Image Credit Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons Public Domain Image Bass clef on music staff	Bass clef	Also called the "F" clef, this symbol is found at the beginning of a music staff and represents bass notes.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow c sharp key signature	Key signature	The number of sharps or flats at the beginning of a musical piece that determines what key to play or sing in.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow time signature	Time signature	Determines the beat or rhythm of the musical piece. The top number of the time signature tells how many beats are in each measure, while the bottom number determines what type of note gets one beat. The example to the left shows a time signature of 6/8. This means there are six beats per measure and an eighth note gets one beat.
Image Credit Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons Public Domain Image Common Time	Common time	This symbol indicates a time signature of 4/4 (four beats per measure, quarter note gets one beat).
Image Credit Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons Public Domain Image Cut Time	Cut time	Indicates a time signature of 2/2 (two beats per measure, half note gets one beat).
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow grand staff	Grand staff	When the treble and bass clef staffs are connected by a brace, this is called the grand staff.
Image Credit Wikimedia Commons Public Domain Image Sharp note	Sharp	A sharp symbol in front of a note directs you to play or sing that note one half step higher for the duration of the measure.
Image Credit Wikimedia Commons Public Domain Image Flat note	Flat	A flat in front of a note directs you to play or sing that note one half step lower for the duration of the measure.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow a naturel	Natural	A natural sign in front of a note cancels out a previous flat or a sharp in a measure.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow piano mark	Piano	Play or sing softly.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow pianissimo	Pianissimo	Play or sing very softly.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow pianississimo	Pianississimo	Play or sing very, very softly.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow forte	Forte	Play or sing loudly.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow fortissimo	Fortissimo	Play or sing very loudly.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow fortississimo	Fortississimo	Play or sing very, very loudly.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow mezzo piano	Mezzo piano	Play or sing moderately softly.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow mezzo forte	Mezzo forte	Play or sing moderately loudly.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow glissando	Glissando	A glissando mark between two notes tells you to quickly slide your fingers up or down the keys or strings between those notes, starting and ending on the written notes. Vocalists may also perform glissandos.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow crescendo	Crescendo	Gradually play or sing louder.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow decrecsendo	Decrescendo	Gradually play or sing softer.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow staccato	Staccato	Play or sing the note in a detached manner, with clear separation between notes.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow marcato	Marcato (accent mark)	Play or sing the note forcefully with emphasis.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow legato	Legato	Also called a slur, this symbol indicates you should smoothly connect a group of notes.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow breath mark	Breath Mark	This symbols tells a performer to take a breath. For a violinist, it means to lift the bow.
Image Credit Wikimedia Commons Public Domain Image Trill symbol	Trill	To rapidly play two notes back and forth, the written note and usually the note above it.
Image Credit Created by Vikki Olds Owned by LoveToKnow, copyright LoveToKnow repeat sign	Repeat Sign	Instructs you to repeat sections of music. If a repeat sign is seen at the end of the music, go back to the beginning and play it again.
Image Credit Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons Public Domain Image Fermata	Fermata	Hold the note for as long as the musician or conductor deems appropriate, usually at least twice the beat value of the note. Fermatas are often seen at the end of a musical piece.

Free Printable Chart

If you'd like a copy of this chart to take along with you, simply click on the image below to open the .pdf file. The chart will open in a new window or tab, and from there you can download it to your computer or print out a hard copy.

Understanding the Universal Language

Music is considered the universal language because it transcends culture, nationality and traditional languages. Music notes and symbols are the foundation of the musical language. Each symbol and note adds a unique element to a musical composition and learning to read them opens the door to an unlimited world of musical opportunities and experiences.