clef sign
tells which pitch (letter) names go with which line or space
treble clef
used for higher pitches
bass clef
used for lower pitches
staff
five lines and four spaces used to place pitches
measure
the space between bar lines
bar line
a vertical line drawn on the staff to break the staff into smaller units called measures
double bar line
signifies the end of a section or piece of music
sharp
raises the note one-half step
flat
lowers the note one-half step
natural
cancels the previous sharp or flat; the white keys on the piano
time or meter signature
indicates how many beats are in a measure and what kind of note receives the beat
ledger lines
used to add lines to the staff for higher or lower notes
dynamic
the volume of music
Pianississimo (ppp)
very, very quiet
Pianissimo (pp)
very quiet