Many musicians can read music, and some play by "ear." Musical notes are written down on a special paper printed with sets of five lines. These lines are called a staff. Notes are written as dots on the lines and in the spaces, so musicians know which notes to play or sing.
Take it from the top!
This is what written-down music looks like. Just as the words in a book make sense to people who can read, these lines and dots make sense to people who have learned to read music.
Slow down, speed up
Music is played at different speeds. Sometimes, to keep playing at a steady speed, musicians use a machine like this called a metronome.
Take notes
- Music can be written down using a special music typewriter or a computer.
- The longer continuous piano piece ever published is four hours, twelve minutes, and ten seconds long. It's called The Well-Tuned Piano.
