Musical notation is a universal language that allows musicians to communicate musical ideas across time and space. Whether you’re reading a classical score, a jazz lead sheet, or a bossa nova arrangement, understanding the fundamentals of notation will unlock countless musical possibilities.
Here is an example of musical notation, the first four bars of “The Girl from Ipanema”:
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The most basic unit of a notated piece of music is the measure (or bar) and its time signature. This is how the harmonic, melodic and rhythmic connections are structured and the basic pulse (also called the meter) is established. In the example above, “The Girl From Ipanema” is notated in 4/4 time (read: “four-four time”). In this time signature, four beats are counted per measure, with each quarter note receiving one beat.
Within a bar, the musical content is presented using standard musical notation. Tone length (duration) and pitch thus receive a clear, precise form that any trained musician can interpret.
Rhythm plays a central role in Latin American music. A solid sense of note durations and divisions is essential to developing a good understanding of bossa nova and its characteristic syncopated feel.
The quarter note represents the most important rhythmic unit. It is usually counted in beats and marks the basic pulse (often kept with the foot or a metronome). A whole 4/4 bar is filled by the whole note, so a half note takes two beats. The finer subdivisions of the fundamental pulse begin at the eighth note. The sixteenth note has special significance in the notation of Latin American music because of the typical tempi and meter (the music is often notated in 2/4 time). A rest with a corresponding duration is assigned to each note length.
The tone durations and pauses in graphic overview:
Whole Note (4 beats)
The whole note is the longest standard note value and lasts four beats. It fills out a complete 4/4 time measure. The whole rest “hangs” from the fourth staff line.
Half Note (2 beats)
The half note lasts two beats – exactly half the duration of a whole note. The half rest “sits” on the third staff line.
Quarter Note (1 beat) – The Fundamental Pulse
The quarter note has special meaning because it symbolizes the fundamental pulse in most music. It lasts one beat. The quarter rest resembles a lightning bolt or stylized “Z”.
Eighth Note (1/2 beat)
The eighth note divides the fundamental pulse into two halves. The division is counted: “1-and-2-and-3-and-4-and” or “1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +”. The eighth rest resembles a comma or the number 7.
Sixteenth Note (1/4 beat)
The sixteenth note represents four divisions of the fundamental pulse. This subdivision is counted: “1-e-and-a-2-e-and-a-3-e-and-a-4-e-and-a” or simply “1 e + a”. Sixteenth notes are crucial for understanding syncopation in bossa nova.
Practice Tip
Start by clapping or tapping each rhythm pattern while counting aloud. Use a metronome at a slow tempo (60 BPM) and gradually increase speed as you become more comfortable. The goal is to internalize these subdivisions so you can feel them naturally when playing bossa nova rhythms.
In addition to the basic note durations, there are important types of notation for extending and modifying note durations:
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The Tie
In the example of “Girl from Ipanema,” a slur (or tie) is notated between notes across bar lines. The tie connects two notes, adding their durations together. A tied note is played only once, but held for the combined duration. Ties can connect notes across bar lines or within a single bar. In our example, two half notes are tied together for the duration of a whole note (4 beats total).
The Dot
“Girl from Ipanema” begins with a dotted quarter note. A dotted note is lengthened by half of its original value. For example:
- A dotted quarter note = quarter note + eighth note = 1.5 beats
- A dotted half note = half note + quarter note = 3 beats
- A dotted eighth note = eighth note + sixteenth note = 0.75 beats
The dotted quarter note followed by an eighth note is one of the most common rhythmic figures in bossa nova and creates a characteristic lilting feel.
Musical Example: Dotted Rhythms
This is the fundamental bossa nova rhythm pattern – practice it until it becomes second nature!
Harmony in the musical sense means the simultaneous sounding of tones or the vertical aspect of music. The distance between two tones is called an interval, whether played melodically (one after another) or harmonically (together). A consonance is a pleasant-sounding interval, while a “clashing” or tense sound is called a dissonance.
The combination of three or more tones that are typically a third apart is called a chord. Chords form the basic harmonic structure of most pieces of music. The most important chords are the major and minor triads:
The A Major Triad
The A major triad consists of the notes A (root), C# (major third), and E (perfect fifth). It’s abbreviated by the chord symbol A or Amaj.
The A Minor Triad
The A minor triad consists of the notes A (root), C (minor third), and E (perfect fifth). It’s abbreviated by the chord symbol Am or Amin.
Chord Symbols and Lead Sheets
Chords are often abbreviated by symbols, and you will find this kind of notation in song representations called lead sheets. Lead sheets show the melody, lyrics, and chord symbols – giving you the essential information needed to perform a song while allowing for personal interpretation.
Typical fingerings, which are shown in chord diagrams, have become established as standard guitar voicings over time. These chord shapes often have more than three notes (see the A Major & Minor Chords above), but contain no more than three different pitch classes. The extra notes are doublings – the same note played in different octaves to create a fuller sound.
Seventh Chords in Bossa Nova
Chords can also have more than three different notes, which is frequently the case in bossa nova and jazz. These extended chords are called seventh chords (when they include a fourth note a seventh above the root), ninth chords, and beyond. The sophisticated harmony of bossa nova relies heavily on these colorful chord extensions.
In the introduction to bossa nova chords, you can familiarize yourself with the essential guitar chord voicings used in this style.
A scale is a sequential collection of notes arranged in ascending or descending order, and it contains all the notes of a particular key. In the common keys of today’s Western music system (major and minor), there are seven different notes between the root and its octave (for example, in the C major scale from C to C an octave higher).
Understanding scales is fundamental to:
- Improvising melodies and solos
- Understanding chord construction
- Developing fingerboard knowledge
- Building technical facility on the guitar
The Major Scale Pattern
The interval pattern between notes follows a specific formula of whole steps (W) and half steps (H):
W – W – H – W – W – W – H
In the major scale, the semitone (half) step occurs between the 3rd/4th scale degrees and the 7th/8th scale degrees (leading tone to octave).
The Natural Minor Scale Pattern
The natural minor scale has a different pattern:
W – H – W – W – H – W – W
In the natural minor scale, the semitone step occurs between the 2nd/3rd scale degrees and the 5th/6th scale degrees.
Let’s begin with the most fundamental scale – C major. This scale contains no sharps or flats, making it the perfect starting point for understanding scale construction.
The notes of the C major scale are: C – D – E – F – G – A – B – C
Here’s the C major scale played on the guitar in first position:
Notice how this fingering uses the open strings and stays within the first three frets – this is called “first position” playing.
The basic scales in the first position (the area up to the 4th fret on the fingerboard) form an essential foundation for melody playing on the guitar. They should be part of the regular practice schedule for all beginners.
Scale practice requires a stable left-hand position:
- The thumb rests in the middle of the back of the neck
- All four fingers hover close to the fretboard, ready to play
- Maintain a natural curved finger position
- The right hand alternates between index (i) and middle (m) fingers
Here are six basic scales in their abbreviated form (from root to fifth – spanning five scale degrees). Master these short patterns before moving on to the complete scales:
- The basic scales without accidentals: C major and A minor
- The scales with a sharp (♯) sign: G major and E minor
- The scales with a flat (♭) accidental: F major and D minor
C Major Scale (Abbreviated: C to G)
The C major scale is the foundation of Western music theory. With no sharps or flats, it’s the perfect starting point.
A Minor Scale (Abbreviated: A to E)
A minor is the relative minor of C major – they share the same key signature (no sharps or flats). Notice the darker, more melancholic quality compared to C major.
Practice Tip
Always keep the fingers of your fretting hand close to the fretboard and keep your index finger hovering nearby when you use your ring finger. When alternating between C and D, or F and G, this finger independence is crucial for smooth, connected playing. Practice slowly at first, focusing on clean tone production and minimal finger movement.
G Major Scale (Abbreviated: G to D)
G major has one sharp: F#. This is one of the most guitar-friendly keys due to the open G, B, and high E strings.
\title “Canon Rock”
\subtitle “JerryC”
\tempo 90
.
:2 19.2{v f} 17.2{v f} |
15.2{v f} 14.2{v f} |
12.2{v f} 10.2{v f} |
12.2{v f} 14.2{v f}.4 :8 15.2 17.2 |
14.1.2 :8 17.2 15.1 14.1{h} 17.2 |
15.2{v d}.4 :16 17.2{h} 15.2 :8 14.2 14.1 17.1{b (0 4 4 0)}.4 |
15.1.8 :16 14.1{tu 3} 15.1{tu 3} 14.1{tu 3} :8 17.2 15.1 14.1 :16 12.1{tu 3} 14.1{tu 3} 12.1{tu 3} :8 15.2 14.2 |
12.2 14.3 12.3 15.2 :32 14.2{h} 15.2{h} 14.2{h} 15.2{h} 14.2{h} 15.2{h} 14.2{h} 15.2{h} 14.2{h} 15.2{h} 14.2{h} 15.2{h} 14.2{h} 15.2{h} 14.2{h} 15.2{h}
E Minor Scale (Abbreviated: E to B)
E minor is the relative minor of G major. Its dark, powerful sound makes it a favorite in rock and blues, but it’s also common in bossa nova compositions.
Practice Tip
Notice the F# in the E minor scale (2nd fret on the low E string). The little finger is typically weaker and more difficult to control – keep it close to the fretboard and try to maintain a four-finger position where all fingers are ready to play. This “four-finger grip” is fundamental to classical guitar technique and will serve you well in all styles of playing.
F Major Scale (Abbreviated: F to C)
F major has one flat: B♭. This scale introduces you to playing on the first fret and prepares you for barre chord technique.
D Minor Scale (Abbreviated: D to A)
D minor is the relative minor of F major. Often called the “saddest key,” D minor has been favored by composers throughout history for its emotional depth.
Practice Tip
The note B♭ (a semitone below B natural) is found on the G string at the third fret. The note B natural can be played both as an open string and also on the 4th fret of the G string. Understanding these enharmonic options (different locations for the same pitch) is key to fluid fingerboard navigation. As you practice, experiment with both fingerings to discover which works best in different musical contexts.
Scales are often the most repetitive part of a musician’s practice routine, so let’s add some musicality and context to these exercises. Here is a list of pieces from various genres that contain scale passages and are appropriate for beginning guitarists:
- Ode to Joy (excerpt from Symphony No. 9) – Ludwig van Beethoven
A famous classical melody featuring a partial G major scale. Perfect for practicing smooth, connected playing. - A Groovy Kind of Love – Phil Collins
Classic pop song with partial C major scale passages. Great for developing rhythmic feel while practicing scales. - Spanish Romance (Traditional)
Beautiful fingerstyle piece in E minor that incorporates scale-based melodies.
Next Step: Once you’re comfortable with these abbreviated scales, continue to Part II to learn the complete scales spanning a full octave.