If you want to learn the piano then you need to learn how to read piano sheet music as well. Sure, piano tabs are easier and simpler but they can’t ever offer the whole package. Don’t worry – learning how to read piano sheet music is easier than you think. You just have to be patient and ready and willing to practice every day.

The Importance of Piano Sheet Music

Piano tabs basically let you know the major chords used for a particular piece and the length of which they’re played. But with sheet music, you don’t just learn the chords but also the melody – the music that corresponds to the lyrics – and other little nuances that when added all up make a significant impact on your music.

Title, Composer, Songwriter, and Performer

Every little thing included in piano sheet music is critical, and that includes even the details regarding to the version and composer of the piece. It always helps to know the song writer and music arranger or composer of the piece. Their personalities are often reflected by their works and by understanding who they are, you get to understand what kind of emotions you could evoke when playing their music.

Ledger Lines

See those five lines that make up each section? These are called ledger lines and each of them corresponds to a specific note. The notes they correspond to differ depending on the clef indicated for the piece. Even the spaces between, above, and below these lines are equivalent to a specific note. Together, these lines and spaces make up the staff.

Clefs

There is a relatively large symbol placed on the leftmost part of the staff and they indicate the pitch in which the piece should be played. The third space in a staff would correspond to “do” with a C clef but it would correspond to a different note if a G clef is indicated.

Key and Time Signatures

Either of two symbols or both is used to indicate the key signatures: the number sign (#), which corresponds to a sharp note, and the lower case character for B, which corresponds to a flat note. Where these are placed will let you know which key you should use when playing the piece.

The time signature, on the other hand, indicates the measure of each “sub-section” of the piece and ensures that you play the piece at the appropriate speed.

Musical Notes and Other Musical Symbols

There is a huge set of musical notes and symbols used and which you have to master if you want to learn how to read piano sheet music effectively. It’s probably one of the most difficult parts to master, but constant practice will soon make them as easy to read as ABC.

Belle writes for HardKnockRadio – The Hip Hop Music Site. Read her latest on Freestyle Rap Lyrics Through the Years. She also writes for SherwoodMusic.org. Her latest peice is about how to play bass guitar.