Music theory > Lessons > Pitch of sounds > Reading music notes

Reading music notes

Learn how to read music notes with the conjunct motion order, the succession of third and tricks to recognize music note positions with a treble or a bass clef

Now, you already know that the clefs set the position of music notes on the staff (stave ). Now you have to learn to read music notes quickly.

Order of Notes (Conjunct)

To learn how to read music notes, you have to memorize the names of the notes in the conjunct motion order:

Learn by heart the following conjunct motion order: C D E F G A B C

and the inverse order: C B A G F E D C

Why learn these two successions of notes by heart? Simply because by deduction you will be able to read notes that you do not know yet based on the following principle:

If a note is on a line, then the next or previous note are in a space.
If a note is in a space, then the next or previous note are on a line.

Examples:

Reading music notes, conjunct motion

You are sure to recognize the F note, so the next music note is a G (conjunct motion order)

You are sure to recognize the C note, so the next music note is a B (conjunct motion order)

Order of notes (successions of thirds)

Similarly, to learn how to read notes quickly and easily, you must know by heart the notes in succession of thirds (that is to say one out of two).

Order of notes by successive thirds: C E G B D F A C

and the reverse order: C A F D B G E C

Why to learn one more time those two orders by heart? Simply because by deduction you will be able to read music notes that you do not know yet based on the following principle:

If a note is on a line, then the note on the line directly above or below will be located at an interval of a third.
If a note is in a space, then the note on the next higher or lower space will be at an interval of a third.

Examples:

Reading music notes by successive thirds

You are sure to recognize the F note, so the next note is inevitably a A

You are sure to recognize the C note, so the next note is inevitably a A

In the example below, if you are sure that the first note is a C, then there is no need to think a lot about next notes, because you know the order of the notes in succession of thirds, it will be very easy to read the notes which are: E G B D F A C.

notes, successions of thirds

Funny tricks to recognize music note positions with a treble clef

In treble clef, the music notes on lines are E G B D F and you can remember them with the phrase Every Good Boy Does Fine

In treble clef, the music notes in space are F A C E and you can remember them with the word FACE

Funny tricks to recognize music note positions with a bass clef

In bass clef, the music notes on lines are G B D F A and you can remember them with the phrase Good Boys Do Fine Always

In bass clef, the music notes in space are A C G E and you can remember them with the phrase All Cars Eat Gas

Open strings, note names and position on the staff

For some music instruments, such as string instruments for example, it is necessary to identify the positions on the staff of open strings notes:

Violin: G D A E

violin open strings, note names and position on the staff

Viola: C G D A

Viola open strings, note names and position on the staff

Cello: C G D A

Cello open strings, note names and position on the staff

Double bass: E A D G

Double bass open strings, note names and position on the staff

Guitar: E A D G B E

Guitar open strings, note names and position on the staff

Music notes positions on a piano keyboard

Music notes are placed like this on a piano keyboard:

And on a three octaves piano keyboard:

Games for reading notes

Play my note reading games to learn and practice reading notes: I'm sure that there is something for everyone: Ppiano, guitar, flute, violin, and so on ...