Recognize the different clefs. To learn music notations, you need to recognize the various clefs. The treble clef, or G clef, is used for the upper register. The G clef consists of a line that curves and spirals to the right. It is often on the top five-line staff of piano music. The bass clef has the shape of a backward C with a colon after it. It is used for the lower register. It is often on the bottom five-line staff of piano music.
Examine the key signature. The key signature is the part of the music that indicates which sharps and flats you need to play in the song. Sharps are indicated with a number sign (#), while flat symbols resemble the lowercase b. For example, if you see a sharp symbol on the line that corresponds to an F, then you have to play F sharp. If you see a flat symbol on a line that corresponds to a G, then you have to play G flat.
Look at the time signature. When learning music notations, you need to study the rhythm of the song. This is what the time signature is for. The time signature resembles a fraction. The top number represents the number of beats in a measure, and the bottom number represents the type of note to which the beat corresponds. For example, if the time signature is 2/4, then there are two beats in a measure and a quarter note gets each beat.
Know the different dynamics. These let you understand how loudly or softly to play various parts of the song. The dynamic marking ppp means to play extremely quietly. The dynamic marking pp stands for pianissimo, or very soft. The notation p stands for piano, or quiet. The marking mp, mezzo piano, means somewhat soft, and mf, or mezzo forte, means somewhat loud. The f marking, or forte, means loud; ff, or fortissimo, means very loud; and fff, means extremely fortissimo, or loud.
Analyze the articulation of the notes. The staccato marking is a dot over the note. The dot indicates that the note has to be played short. The legato marking is a horizontal line over the note. This means that the note has to be played longer. The accented markings is a greater than sign (>). This means that the note is to be played louder and harshly. If there is a curved line between notes, the notes have to be slurred, or played in a connected way without pauses between them.
Analyze the types of notes. Whole notes are held for four beats and appear as open circles. Half notes are held for two beats and are represented by an open circle with a vertical line. Quarter notes are held for one beat. They are represented by a filled-in circle with a vertical line. An eighth note is held for one-eighth of a beat. The eighth note has a filled-in circle, a vertical line and a horizontal line at the top of the vertical line. The sixteenth note is held for one-sixteenth of a beat. It has a filled-in circle, a vertical line and two horizontal lines at the top of the vertical line. The placement of each note on a five-line staff indicates its pitch.
Analyze the types of rests. The rest are the music notations that indicate where you stop playing. The whole rest is four beats long and resembles a rectangle that hangs below the line. The half rest is two beats long and resembles a rectangle that rests above the line. The quarter rest is one beat long and looks like the letter Z. The eighth rest is one-eighth of a beat and looks like the number seven. The sixteenth rest is one-sixteenth of a beat and looks like two number sevens that are stacked on top of each other.