NOTES

Different Notehead Shapes
Shape Uses Examples
Regular Exact Pitches NoteRegular
Diamond Special playing modes or tones such as: half-valve, tablature for string harmonics, flasetto voice, silent depression of keys, held keys. NoteDiamond
X Indeterminate pitches, spoken voice and unvoiced sounds, release of certain held notes, noises, … Notex
Round, pierced by stems Sounds of air blown through an instrument No image available
Arrow Highes or lowest pitches possible on an instrument NoteArrow
Triangle For triangles  NoteTriangle 


STEMS


THICKNESS


The stem should be somewhat thinner than the staff line.


 






DIRECTION*


Single Notes:


The point of reversion is between the second space and the middle staff line:


    

  • All notes beneath the middle line: upward stems.
    • 

  • All notes on or above the middle line: downward stems.
    • 



Two Notes on a Stem:


    

  • If the interval above the middle line is greater than the interval below the middle line: downward stems.
    • 



2NoteStemsA


 


    

  • If the interval below the middle line is greater than the interval above the middle line: upward stems.
    • 



2NoteStemsB


 


    

  • If the two notes are the same distance from the middle line: stem can go in either direction. but most engravers prefer downward stems.
    • 



2NoteStemsC


 


 


              More Than Two Notes on a Stem:


    

  • If the interval of the highest note above the middle line is greater than the interval of the lowest note below the middle line: downward stems.
    • 



3NoteStemsA


 


    

  • If the interval of the lowest note below the middle line is greater than the interval of the highest note above the middle line: upward stems.
    • 



3NoteStemsB


    

  • If the highest and the lowest notes are the same distance from the middle line:, use these rules to determine stem direction
    • 

  • If the majority of the notes are above the middle: downward stems.
    • 



3NoteStemsC


 


    

  • If the majority of the notes are below the middle: upward stems.
    • 



3NoteStemsD


 




 


LENGTH


    

  • Normal length is one octave (3.5 spaces), but only 15 staff degrees have stems of this length.Stems that normally have 3.5 space stems
    • 



35Stems


 




    

  •  Stems should not be shorter than 2.5 spaces except in rare cases.
    • 



Stems that normally have 2.5 space stems


25Stems


 




Extended Stems:


    

  • If a note is on or above the second leger line above the staff: end of stem touches the middle staff line.
    • 



ExStemsA


 


    

  • If a note is on or below the second leger line below the staff: end of stem touches the middle staff line.
    • 



ExStemsA