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Learning to read music is, in many ways, like learning another language. Making sense of the notations--whether notes that indicate pitch and rhythm or labels for tempo--is important for performers. Music has its own way of communicating through symbols, and once an actor can read it, they will be able to rehearse and perform more successfully.

This guide explains the basic principles of reading and interpreting music. Through this process, actors will be able to more easily engage with characterization and storytelling to create dynamic performances, whether in an audition or performing within a show.

Terminology

• Chord: Three or more musical notes played at once.
• Crescendo: Gradually increasing in volume.
• Diminuendo: Gradually decreasing in volume.
• Harmony: Arrangement of music, often based in chords, that supports the melody.
• Key Signature: The notation of the musical key, including sharps (raising the pitch) and flats (lowering the pitch).
• Measure: A unit of musical notes, based on the time signature.
• Melody: The principal line of music.
• Notes: Musical symbol that indicates pitch and rhythm.
• Pitch: How high or low a note is.
• Rhythm: Pattern and arrangement of sound.
• Staff: The five lines and spaces on which music is written.
• Tempo: How fast or slow the rhythm is.
• Timbre: Tonal quality.
• Time Signature: Sign, usually written as a fraction, that indicates the pattern of rhythm in music.
• Voice Types: The classifications of similar vocal ranges.