How to Read Sheet Music for Beginners

Learn the basics of reading music notation with this simple step-by-step guide for young musicians. HowTo: Family Edition: family how-tos that actually help.

1. Understand the staff. Look at the five horizontal lines on the page; this is called the staff. The notes live on these lines or in the spaces between them. The higher the note sits on the staff, the higher the sound it makes.
2. Learn the clefs. At the very beginning of the lines, you will see a symbol. The Treble Clef, which looks a bit like a fancy letter G, is usually for higher notes. Ask a grown-up or your music teacher to show you the Bass Clef if you are playing lower notes.
3. Identify the notes. Memorize the lines and spaces. For the lines on a Treble Clef, remember the phrase 'Every Good Boy Does Fine' to help you remember the notes E, G, B, D, and F. The spaces spell the word 'FACE'.
4. Check the rhythm. Look at the shape of the note. A solid black circle with a stem is a quarter note, which gets one beat. A hollow circle is a half note, which gets two beats. Tap your foot to keep a steady beat while you look at the notes.