I think it’s so cute when children point to a symbol in music and ask,
“What’s that hashtag (or smiley face, eyebrow, &c) ? “
Some of the symbols in music really do look like eyebrows, headphones, half-hearts, and other objects.
Learning to read notes isn’t the most important skill in music. It’s usually what is first taught as the notes are certainly an important factor. The symbols are what give the notes their personality.
Think of them like the different herbs in cooking. You wouldn’t put rosemary in a taco unless you ‘re going for a Thanksgiving taco theme. Would you serve tacos without cilantro? Maybe you would, but a flour tortilla and plain beef isn’t much of a taco unless that’s your jam.
Okay, I’m hungry now, so let’s wrap it up…. mmmm Wraps.
The musical symbols each have their special names that mean exactly what they say:
Sharp pierces or lifts a tone.
Flat flattens or lowers a tone.
The accent emphasizes a tone.
A fill fills in a few beats with improvisation.
Grace notes add an extra bit of grace to separate tones.
Those are just some of the English terms.
There are so many more! Music is filled with dynamics and speeds that change the quality of a sound, making it music.
