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music notation

What Are Sharps, Flats and Natural Signs in Music Theory?

Sharps, Flats and Natural Signs Explained

Western music divides the octave into twelve equal semitones.

To represent these pitches, music notation uses accidentals.

Sharps

A sharp (#) raises a note by one semitone.

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What Are Rest Values and How Are They Written?

Rest Values Explained

Silence is just as important as sound.

In written music, periods of silence are represented by rests.

Every note value has a corresponding rest value.

Common Rest Values

The most frequently used rests… read more

How Do Note Values Work in Music Notation?

Note Values Explained

Musical notation not only tells us which pitches to play. It also tells us how long each note should last.

These durations are called note values.

The Basic Note Values

The most common note values are:

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