1 Introduction to Music Theory: notes

A note consists of an oval shaped head, which is written on or between the lines of the stave. On the right side of the notehead a straight line upwards is added when the note is written on or below the third line. This line is called a stem and is written on the left side downwards when the note head is on or above the third line. On the stem you can write one or more flags. The flag is always on the right side.

The note head's position on the stave indicates how high or low it sounds, which is called the pitch of the note. The other elements are used to indicate the duration of the note.

If the note head is empty it is a whole note (semi-breve)

If the note head is empty, but has a stem, it is a half note (minim)

If the note head is black and has a stem, it is a quarter note (crotchet)

If the note head is black, has a stem and one flag, it is an eigth note (quaver)

Always take care to write the notehead oval-shaped and the stem straight.

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