- Definition
Notation is like a special written language that tells you how to play music, showing you things like how high or low a sound should be and how long to hold it. It's how musicians read and share songs.
A drawing of a long line for a long sound and a short dot for a short sound is a simple form of notation.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Notation is like a set of secret instructions that tells a musician how to play a song.
Ask your child: How could we write down a clap-clap-stomp pattern?
Common mix-up: Kids may think there's only one way to write music. Many systems of notation exist, from notes on a staff to special shapes and symbols.
Examples
- The notes on a piece of piano sheet music are a common type of notation.
- Drawing a big circle for a loud drum beat and a small one for a quiet beat is notation.
- Writing 'ta' for a short beat and 'ta-a' for a long beat is another way to note rhythm.
notation is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
+11 more mentions across the curriculum
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
