LESSON TWO

How to Read Music

These five lines are called the staff or stave.

The Treble Clef

This symbol is a treble clef. There is a treble clef at the beginning of every line of violin music.

The Treble Staff

A staff with a treble clef written on it is called a treble staff.

Music Notes

There are only seven letters used for notes in music:

These notes are known as the musical alphabet.

Violin music notes are written in the spaces and on the lines of the treble staff.

To remember the notes on the lines of the treble staff, say: Every Good Boy Deserves Fruit.

The notes in the spaces of the treble staff spell: F A C E

Note and Rest Values

Bar lines are drawn across the staff, dividing the music into sections called bars or measures. A double bar line signifies the end of an important section of music, while a final bar line is written at the end of a piece.

The Four Four Time Signature

This is the four four time signature.
The time signature is written immediately after the treble clef. The top number of the * time signature tells you that there are four beats in each bar. The bottom number tells you that there are four quarter notes in one bar of music in * time.

The Note A

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You already know the note A. It is the open A (2nd) string. This time the note A is played in quarter notes. Alternate your bow strokes as you play.

The Note B

The note B is written on the third line of the staff. The stem for the note B can go up or down, because it is on the middle line of the staff.

Play the note B with your 1st finger on the A string.

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It is a good idea to practice all examples both arco and pizzicato.