Musical Terms and Definitions

Musical Terms and Definitions (Listed in Alphabetical Order)

1. Bar line: A vertical line that divides the music staff into measures
2. Bass clef: A clef used to indicate a low-sounding instrument or voice
3. Brace: A symbol that connects the treble and bass clefs together to form the grand staff
4. Eighth note (single): A notehead with one stem and one flag that takes up one eighth of a measure. Gets 1/2 beat in 4/4 time.
5. Eighth notes (barred): Two eighth notes joined together with two noteheads, two stems, and one bar. Equals the same value as a quarter note.
6. Half note: A hollow notehead with one stem that takes up half of a measure. Gets 2 beats in 4/4 time.
7. Measure: The space between two barlines on the music staff.
8. Quarter note: A notehead with one stem that takes up one quarter of a measure. Gets 1 beat in 4/4 time.
9. Staff: The five lines and 4 spaces on which music is written
10. Treble clef: A clef used to indicate a high-sounding instrument or voice
11. Whole note: A hollow notehead that takes up a whole measure. Gets 4 beats in 4/4 time.