Love Piano Sheet Music? Learn about Types of Notation!

Posted on Apr 13, 2009 by Monica in For our Customers, Learning

piano-keyboard Notation is the way music is represented by written symbols. Symbols can include notes or other markings that indicate how to play your song. A few of you had asked what some of those musical symbols mean, and our production team recommended this list of modern musical symbols which includes everything from a “staff” to the “fermata” symbol, which looks like a bird’s eye.

Did you know that sheet music is a form of music notation? There are several different ways that a song can be written into sheet music. Often, the notation may change depending upon the arrangement, complexity and musicians involved in the piece. For example, our Singer Pro sheet music features an independent vocal line that is separated from the piano accompaniment. Whenever possible, our Singer Pro piano accompaniments are notated just as you hear on your favorite artists’ recordings. As another example, there are multiple ways that music notation for guitarists can be rendered, too.

Piano Music Notations

Here are some other piano sheet music notations that you might be interested in learning more about.

Notation Style	Example
Piano/Voice/Guitar (PVG) Typically, this notation offers the piano part, vocal line and guitar chord frames. You might also see the vocal part repeated in the piano part. Piano/Vocal/Chords (PVC) Typically the music notation offers the piano part, vocal line, and chord names above the staff. You might also see the vocal part repeated in the piano part.
Piano Solo This type of music notation doesn’t offer a vocal line, because it’s meant to be performed as a piano solo. These notations may or may not offer chord names as well.
Easy Piano This type of music notation is geared toward beginning to elementary level piano students. Sheet music may often includes lyrics, but isn’t listed as a separate vocal line. Did you know that easy piano arrangements can almost always be performed as a piano solo? However, easy piano arrangements are “abridged” and do not always contain complete lyrics. Like the piano solo notation, you may or may not find chord names above the staff.
Five Finger Piano If you’re learning how to play piano, you know how important fingering is! In this style of piano music notation, notes are numbered by finger and hands stay in one place over the same keys throughout. Typically, five finger piano notation offers the melody line of your favorite songs, but it also might include an optional teacher accompaniment.
Big-Note Big-Note notation refers to sheet music that features larger notes. These songs may include notation for easy level piano, but not necessarily. Big-Note notation is more about the “size” of the notes than the level of complexity. We recommend reviewing any songs you wish to download with big-note notation before you purchase them to ensure that the song fits your level of playing ability.
Letter or E-Z Play Today If you’re looking for the easiest type of music notation that we sell, then you’ll want to look for Letter or E-Z Play Today notation. Typically, these arrangements only focus on the right hand melody of your favorite songs and include large notes with the letters printed right in the notes.

Tags: music notation, music notation types, piano notation, piano sheet music

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8 Responses to “Love Piano Sheet Music? Learn about Types of Notation!”

Glenna Cook

Apr 26, 2009

I truly like the way you presented this information. Great Work. I have one more to add to your list that makes learning for young children fun while helping them learn to play then helps them move one to standard music notation. Hope you will take a look at the website.

Thanks again for doing such a great job.
Brian

Apr 27, 2009

Great. This sort of instruction takes out the mystery but leaves in the magic of music. It takes away that fear of the unknown,an imaginary ‘lock on the gate’ that prevents so many potential musicians from getting started on the road to rhythm. Thank You.
laura

Apr 27, 2009

Very useful article. It would be nice if all your sheet music had the option of having the fingering marked on it. Even advanced students learn the music faster when the fingering is already noted – on long scales, for example.

Love this site!
Luke

Apr 27, 2009

i recently encountered a notation I’ve not seen before (F+). I was hoping someone could explain to me how the + notation works. I think it means to move up on the chord root but I’m only guessing. Can anybody help?
- Monica
  
  Apr 27, 2009
  
  Hi Luke, I’m going to ask one of our experts and get back to you. It’d be helpful to have an example of what you’re referring to.
- Lance
  
  Jun 28, 2009
  
  I think F+ is one of the ways to reference an augmented chord (you raise the fifth note of the scale by a half step)
Rotshogy

May 03, 2009

emm… thank you :)
ayjah

Jul 02, 2009

i did i love piano for a recital

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