Online Video Guitar Lessons
  • Call Us at 1-877-999-4JAM
  • Home
  • Lessons
  • Features
  • Teachers
  • Pricing
  • Signup

Musical Notation Guitar Lesson

Home > Guitar Lessons > Skill Building > Theory and Improvisation > Music Theory 101 with Steve Eulberg > Musical Notation
  • About
  • Comments
  • About this Series
  • Free Lessons
  • Membership
Steve Eulberg

Musical Notation

Steve explains the basics of standard musical notation. This Western system of writing music primarily details two parameters - pitch and time. Discover the visual world of music in this lesson!

Taught by Steve Eulberg in Music Theory 101 with Steve Eulberg seriesLength: 5:32Difficulty: 0.5 of 5
Musical notation was developed by church musicians in the early centuries of its history. Originally, choir directors composed or learned all the parts for the choir to sing and taught them to the singers by rote. Gradually the desire to be able to provide code or system of describing pitch over time that could be written down and preserved provided the stimulus to create the notation system.

Simply put, the location of a note on the lines or spaces of the staff indicates what pitch should be sounded and whether the note is open or filled in, has a stem and/or flags or beams determines when (how long or short) it should be played.

This system is independent of instruments so it can be used for all instruments, including the voice.

The Treble Clef and the Bass Clef each contain 5 lines and 4 spaces which indicate what the note name of each note will be. (We'll explore this in more depth in Lesson 7 on The Staff.)

Whole notes, open with no stem, are counted for 4 counts or beats (e.g. play and then hold it while counting: "1-2-3-4")

Half Notes, open with a stem, are counted for 2 counts or beats (e.g. play and then hold the note while counting: "1-2")

Quarter notes, solid centers with a stem, are counted for 1 count or beats (e.g. play and count "1").

As you can see, each type of note is half of the length of the one before it. (We'll explore this in more depth in Lesson 8).

The benefit of this system of musical notation is that, once a musician learns the names of the notes on the lines and spaces of the staff and the note values of the types of notes, with one glance he or she can tell what pitch is to be played and how long to play it. On instruments (like keyboards) where each key is the one, unique place that the note can be sounded on the instrument, musical notation is all that is needed to inform the musician how to play the piece of music.

The limitation of this system is that when playing an instrument (like a guitar) which has several different locations to sound the exact same pitch, musical notation will not prescribe where on the instrument to finger the frets to play the note that is described on the staff. This is the case with all fretted stringed instruments (as well as fretless instruments in the string orchestra family). For these instruments tablature was developed. (More about this in Lesson 9).
  • Musical Notation Chart
  • Note Symbols
  • Theory 6 Notes (PDF)
  •  



Supplemental Learning Material

Select

Member Comments about this Lesson

Discussions with our instructors are just one of the many benefits of becoming a member of JamPlay.


steveeulbergsteveeulberg replied on April 4th, 2010

thanks Mitch! I love all the variety here, and what I learn from the other instructors myself!

mitchxrmitchxr replied on April 3rd, 2010

I originally joined this site only for kris norris's lessons. But your lessons i find are Extremely helpful as well. Im looking forward to your next lesson.

Music Theory 101 with Steve Eulberg

Found in our Beginner Lesson Sets

Steve presents an information packed lesson series that will break down the basics of music theory. From the language to notation, all things music will be taught right here.



Lesson 1

Introduction to Series

Welcome to the introduction video to Steve's music theory lesson series! This is an information packed series that will cover the fundamental elements of music including notation, language, rhythm, harmony...

Length: 2:23 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Lesson 2

Sound and String Physics

Steve Eulberg delves into a few scientific properties that explain why the guitar produces its unique sound.

Length: 9:51 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Lesson 3

The Musical Alphabet

Steve provides a brief explanation of the musical alphabet. From A to G, Steve demonstrates his "finger" method as a great remembrance tool. This tool will help you understand the topics that Steve will...

Length: 2:46 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Lesson 4

Scales & Modes

Steve explains how scales and modes are constructed.

Length: 2:28 Difficulty: 0.5 FREE
Lesson 5

Whole & Half Steps

In this lesson, Steve explains what whole and half steps are. In conjunction with the musical alphabet, Steve provides in depth instruction on how certain notes and intervals work together.

Length: 6:16 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Lesson 6

Musical Notation

Steve explains the basics of standard musical notation. This Western system of writing music primarily details two parameters - pitch and time. Discover the visual world of music in this lesson!

Length: 5:32 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Lesson 7

Musical Notation Continued: Musical Staff

Steve continues his music theory series as he dives more in depth into musical notation. Here he breaks down the staff and explains how it is used in reading music.

Length: 5:49 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Lesson 8

Understanding Tablature

Steve breaks down Tablature. This is a very simple concept and when applied in the correct way, can be used to teach any determined guitarist any kind of arrangement.

Length: 4:00 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only

About Steve Eulberg View Full Biography An Award-winning multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter, Steve Eulberg weaves mountain and hammered dulcimers with a variety of unusual instruments to create thought-provoking, smile-inducing, toe-tapping acoustic experiences.

He has sung and composed for religious communities, union halls, picket lines, inter-faith retreats, mountain-top youth camps, as well as the more familiar venues: clubs, coffeehouses, bookstores, festivals, charity benefits and showcase concerts.

Born and raised in the German-heritage town of Pemberville, Ohio, Steve was exposed to a variety of music in his home. Early piano lessons were followed by trumpet in school band, and he became self-taught on ukelele and guitar and harmonica. Mandolin was added at Capital University where, while majoring in History, he studied Ear Training, Voice and took Arranging lessons from the Conservatory of Music.

While at college, he first heard hammered and mountain dulcimers, building his first mountain dulcimer just before his final year. Seminary training took him the west side of Denver where he built his first hammered dulcimer. With these instruments, he was able to give voice to the Scottish, English and Irish traditions to which he is also heir.

Following marriage in 1985 to Connie Winter-Eulberg he settled in Kansas City, Missouri. There he worked cross-culturally in a church of African-Americans, Latinos and European Americans, with music being a primary organizing tool. He moved with his family in 1997 to be nestled beside the Rocky Mountains in Fort Coillins, Colorado.

Founder of Owl Mountain Music, Inc. he teaches and performs extensively in Colorado and Wyoming with tours across the US and the UK. He delights in introducing the “sweet music” of dulcimers to people in diverse settings and in addition to his own recordings, has included dulcimers in a variety of session work for other musicians.

In 2000 he was commissioned to create a choral composition featuring dulcimers for the Rainbow Chorus in Fort Collins. It was recorded in the same year (BEGINNINGS). He is currently at work on a commissioned symphony that will feature hammered dulcimer and Australian didjeridu.

Eulberg passionately believes that music crosses cultural and language barriers because music builds community. Influenced by a variety of ethnic styles, his music weaves vital lyric with rap, rock, folk, gospel and blues. Audiences of all ages respond well to his presentation and to his warm sense of humor.

Steve is a member of Local 1000 (AFM), The Folk Alliance, BMI and BWAAG (Better World Artists and Activist's Guild).

Acoustic Guitar Lessons

Our acoustic guitar lessons are taught by qualified instructors with various backgrounds with the instrument.


Mark Kailana Nelson Mark Kailana Nelson

Mark Nelson introduces "'Ulupalakua," a song he will be using to teach different skills and techniques. In this lesson, he...

Free LessonSeries Details
Steve Eulberg Steve Eulberg

Steve Eulberg does a quick review of this lesson series and talks about moving on.

Free LessonSeries Details
Kaki King Kaki King

In lesson 6, Kaki discusses how the left and right hands can work together or independently of each other to create different...

Free LessonSeries Details
Trace Bundy Trace Bundy

Trace Bundy talks about the different ways you can use multiple capos to enhance your playing.

Free LessonSeries Details
Jessica Baron Jessica Baron

Jessica kindly introduces herself, her background, and her approach to this series.

Free LessonSeries Details
Hawkeye Herman Hawkeye Herman

Hawkeye teaches several Robert Johnson licks in this lesson. These licks are played with a slide in open G tuning.

Free LessonSeries Details
Danny Voris Danny Voris

Lesson 7 is all about arpeggios. Danny provides discussion and exercises designed to build your right hand skills.

Free LessonSeries Details
Mitch Reed Mitch Reed

Mitch teaches his interpretation of the classic "Cannonball Rag." This song provides beginning and intermediate guitarists...

Free LessonSeries Details
Miche Fambro Miche Fambro

Miche introduces several new chord concepts that add color and excitement to any progression.

Free LessonSeries Details
Mark Kroos Mark Kroos

Free LessonSeries Details

Electric Guitar Lesson Samples

Our electric guitar lessons are taught by instructors with an incredible amount of teaching experience.


Jane Miller Jane Miller

Jane Miller talks about chord solos in part one of this fascinating mini-series.

Free LessonSeries Details
Mark Brennan Mark Brennan

Mark Brennan teaches this classic rock song by Jethro Tull. Released on the album of the same name in 1971, this song features...

Free LessonSeries Details
DJ Phillips DJ Phillips

Learn a handful of new blues techniques while learning to play Stevie Ray Vaughn's "The House Is Rockin'".

Free LessonSeries Details
Kris Norris Kris Norris

Kris analyzes different pick sizes and their effect on his playing. Using a slow motion camera, he is able to point out the...

Free LessonSeries Details
James Malone James Malone

James explains how to tap arpeggios for extended musical reach.

Free LessonSeries Details
Brad Henecke Brad Henecke

Free LessonSeries Details
Lisa Pursell Lisa Pursell

Lisa breaks into the very basics of the electric guitar. She starts by explaining the parts of the guitar. Then, she dives...

Free LessonSeries Details
Allen Van Wert Allen Van Wert

Allen shows you the 24 rudiments crucial to developing finger dexterity. This is a short lesson but the exercises here can...

Free LessonSeries Details
Tosin Abasi Tosin Abasi

Tosin explains some of the intricacies of the 8 string guitar such as his personal setup and approach to playing.

Free LessonSeries Details
Chris Liepe Chris Liepe

Chris brings his ingenuity to this lesson on the American folk song called "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?" Also known as...

Free LessonSeries Details




Additional Lesson Features Available to Members

While we have attempted to provide you with an accurate rendition of our video lesson experience, there are some features which
require a membership with us!



Progress Reports

Custom Progress Reporting

At JamPlay, we give you the ability to monitor your own progress for any lesson! If you watch one of our lessons and feel as though you understand around half of it, mark your progress at 50%. This adds the lesson to your customized Progress Report, and gives you an incredible ability to document what you need to work on, and where you left off.



Progressive Bookmarks

Progressive Bookmarking

With thousands of lessons at your fingertips, JamPlay can be a touch intimidating to a first-time user. With Progressive Bookmarking, we give you the ability to systematically bookmark sections of any lessons you are working on to quickly access later. After all, what is the point of all this content if it isn't easy to use?



Note Taking

Save Your Notes

JamPlay also gives you the ability to leave notes for yourself on any lesson. Just like in any educational system, taking your own notes while learning gives you the ability to highlight the instruction that is important to you. Leave your notes, and we store them in our database for you to reference each and everytime you come back to the lesson.

Join the Thousands of Members at JamPlay

Signup today to enjoy access to our entire database of video lessons, along with our exclusive set of learning tools and features.



Unlimited Lesson Viewing

A JamPlay membership gives you access to every lesson, from every teacher on our staff. Additionally, there is no restriction on how many times you watch a lesson. Watch as many times as you need.

Live Lessons

Exclusive only to JamPlay, we currently broadcast 8-10 hours of steaming lesson services directly to you! Enjoy the benefits of in-person instructors and the conveniences of our community.

Interactive Community

Create your own profile, manage your friends list, and contact users with your own JamPlay Mailbox. JamPlay also features live chat with teachers and members, and an active Forum.

Chord Library

Each chord in our library contains a full chart, related tablature, and a photograph of how the chord is played. A comprehensive learning resource for any guitarist.

Scale Library

Our software allows you to document your progress for any lesson, including notes and percent of the lesson completed. This gives you the ability to document what you need to work on, and where you left off.

Custom Chord Sheets

At JamPlay, not only can you reference our Chord Library, but you can also select any variety of chords you need to work on, and generate your own printable chord sheet.

Backing Tracks

Jam-along backing tracks give the guitarist a platform for improvising and soloing. Our backing tracks provide a wide variety of tracks from different genres of music, and serves as a great learning tool.

Interactive Games

We have teachers covering beginner lessons, rock, classic rock, jazz, bluegrass, fingerstyle, slack key and more. Learn how to play the guitar from experienced players, in a casual environment.

Beginners Welcome.. and Up

Unlike a lot of guitar websites and DVDs, we start our Beginner Lessons at the VERY start of the learning process, as if you just picked up a guitar for the first time.Our teaching is structured for all players.



JamPlay Newsletter

Enter your email to get freebies, updates and some sweet offers from our company.

Facebook
Twiiter
Tweet
Google
Better Business Bureau GoDaddy.com Secured VeriSign Secured Truste
All text, information, images, media, and design are copyright JamPlay, LLC 2007-2012 | 1905 Woods Dr Suite 101 Beavercreek OH 45432 | 1-877-999-4-JAM
  • Membership
  • Signup Today
  • Member Testimonials
  • iPhone App and Store
  • Activate Expired Account
  • Customer Service
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Money Back Guarantee
  • Email Us
  • Call us at 1-877-999-4JAM
  • Company
  • Company Information
  • Affiliate Program
  • Strategic Alliances
  • Privacy Policy
  • Content
  • Articles and Forums
  • Music Equipment
  • Tools
  • Guitar Lessons Directory