Anyone play the piano? (useless poll, too)

[Dusty]

Anyone play the piano?

If you do, you might take note that I don't. Hence, I have four question regarding the reading of piano music notes:

• What do the little dots after some notes mean?
• What does that symbol that looks like number sign missing a few of it's limbs mean before some of the notes?
• What does the letter "p" mean under some of the notes?
• What does the letter "f" mean under some of the notes?

And, just to give this thread that added bit of pointlessness everyone loves so, why not voice yourself in the poll above: anyone play the piano, yes or no. If you answer in the affirmative, however, I do expect my question answered.

[meow]

It means the same as notes for any other instrument.

p - piano - to be played softly
f - forte - to be played strongly

the "." means the note should be "played" 1½ times as long as a similar note without dot.
# means the note is half a tone higher than one without - the black keys

(Sorry, don't know the English terms.)

[Jan]

You should have an option of "once upon a time".

[Dusty]

Thank you Meow for numbers 1, 3, and 4. For number two, though, I'm not talking about a "#", I already figured out what that was. This thing sort of looks like a "#", but it's missing the top-right and bottom-left lines. Like this:

|_   
|_|
  |

(Sorry, don't know the English terms.)

That's fine, neither do I.

[Blank Verse]

that's a natural sign. so it's neither sharp nor flat. it's just, well, natural. for example, if you had to play a b natural, that sign would tell you not to play a b flat or a b sharp.

[meow]

Oh, that. We have a better word. We call it "restore sign".

[Blank Verse]

well, that's accurate...you usually see it if you have say a b flat and a b natural in the same bar, so it tells you yo uhave to restore back

[niv]

FYI, all sheet music is written with these symbols [excluding the guitar and the like].

well, that's accurate...you usually see it if you have say a b flat and a b natural in the same bar, so it tells you yo uhave to restore back

Or:

1. If it's b flat in the key signature
2. It's b flat a bar ago or a few bars ago, just as a reminder.

[Belgiumdude]

hmmm,playing the piano....to boring lol

[conkermaniac]

Here are my explanations.

What do the little dots after some notes mean?
It means that the duration of the note is 1.5 times greater.

What does that symbol that looks like number sign missing a few of it's limbs mean before some of the notes?
It's a natural sign, as others have said. If every G in the song is supposed to be G#, and you (as the composer) wanted it to be a regular G, you would use a natural sign before the G.

What does the letter "p" mean under some of the notes?
It means "piano." Play it soft.

What does the letter "f" mean under some of the notes?
It means "forte." Play it loud.

[Blank Verse]

Well, that's pretty muh the same thing as everyone else said. About a dotted note. I guess you could say it's 1.5 times longer duration...but here's my example. You have a half note, which lasts for 2 beats. now a dotted half note lasts for 3 beats.

[Dusty]

No, that's just confusing, I like the 1½ explanation better. And TPFNaN, I don't know what this "key signature" you speak of is, so the less said about that the better, but that's okay, I've learned all I need to know about the limbless #. Thank you all for your help, by the way, but you can shut up now.

[Jan]

So Dusty, do I take it that you are commencing piano lessons?

[Blank Verse]

This would be something your piano teacher should be attempting to explain to you.

[Dusty]

So Dusty, do I take it that you are commencing piano lessons?

Lessons? What need of lessons when I can ask a question and I almost have to beat off the replies with a stick?

Actually I do like piano music, but not being musically inclined myself I normally just force others to play the damned thing. This being not always convenient, I've tried taking a stab at playing it myself. I've figured most of it out by listening to a recording while following along on the notes-written-down-thing, sheet music, whatever it's called, then trying to replicate it. But, occasionally I hit a wall and can't figure out what something is, hence my now answered four questions.

Formal lessons would just ruin the fun involved and I'd never want to play it again and, worse yet, it would taint my listening to others playing. Best I figure it out on my own.