NotePlayMusicA picture for high and low
In the first lesson, you moved right on the keyboard to make a higher pitch. Written music shows that height by placing notes higher or lower on a staff.
A staff, also called a stave, is a set of five horizontal lines. The four gaps between them are spaces. The oval part of a written note is its note head. Its centre tells you where the note sits.
These first diagrams leave out clefs and rhythm signs so you can focus on position. You do not need to name any pitches yet.
Five lines with four spaces between them
The first oval is centred on the bottom line. The second sits in the gap just above it. The lines continue through a line note.
How many spaces are between the five staff lines?
Line or space? Look at the centre
If a line passes through the centre of the oval, it is a line note. If the oval is centred in a gap, it is a space note. When later lessons add stems, still look at the centre of the note head.
Move the note one position at a time. A line is followed by a space, then another line. These are neighbouring positions: a small step does not skip the space.
Move a note and see what changes
Choose Move up one position. The note moves from a line into a space. Move again to reach the next line. You can also choose Hear this position; sound is optional.
Line 1. A line passes through the centre of the note head. This is the bottom line.
Look at the centre of this note head. Is it on a line or in a space?
Describe the picture
This description names positions and may help with the answer: Space 2 (left to right).
Count from the bottom
Number the lines from bottom to top: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. The middle line is line 3.
Count the spaces separately, also from the bottom: 1, 2, 3, 4. Space 1 is between lines 1 and 2. A line number and a space number describe positions, not note names.
The five line positions
Read these examples left to right: line 1, line 2, line 3, line 4, line 5. The same five staff lines run across the whole picture.
The four space positions
Start the count again for spaces: space 1, space 2, space 3, space 4. The first space is just above the bottom line.
Which line holds this note?
Describe the picture
This description names positions and may help with the answer: Line 3 (left to right).
Read across, follow the height
Read a row of notes from left to right. In these examples, their vertical positions show the pitch direction: up means higher, down means lower, and the same position means the same pitch.
A move from a line to the neighbouring space is one staff step. Line to the next line skips the space, so it is not a single staff step.
Same, up, then back
The second note repeats the first height. The third is one position higher. The fourth returns to the starting height. Trace the pattern left to right with your finger.
What happens from the first note to the second?
Describe the picture
This description names positions and may help with the answer: Space 3, Line 3 (left to right).
Practise what you just learned
These checks use only this lesson and its prerequisites. Take your time, use a hint if needed, and try a check again to revisit the idea.
Which space contains this note?
Describe the picture
This description names positions and may help with the answer: Space 3 (left to right).
Read all four notes left to right. Which description fits?
Describe the picture
This description names positions and may help with the answer: Space 1, Line 2, Space 2, Space 1 (left to right).
A note moves from line 2 to line 3. Has it moved just one neighbouring staff position?
Describe the picture
This description names positions and may help with the answer: Line 2, Line 3 (left to right).