Musicians Terminology: CHART READING MASTERCLASS III
The Eyeglasses,Caesura (a.k.a. ‘Railroad Tracks’), Double Sharp and Double Flat, V.S., S.R. & C.R.
Eyeglasses: The Eyeglasses are usually hand drawn onto a chart or a score by the previous reader of the music. The fellow musician is telling you to look at that sectiopn extra hard because he or she had some difficulty or question with it.
Caesura: The Proper name for a cut or sudden stop in the performance. The Caesura is played on cue from the musical director.
Double Sharp and Double Flat: If a note which is already sharped or flatted is to be sharped or flatted by an additional 1/2 step the correct and cleanest symbol may be a Double Sharp and Double Flat.
The Double Sharp is required below because the note “C” (the note with the Double Sharp) is usually played as a sharped note in the Key of “E”. “C” Double Sharp is therefore needed. In reality, the “C” Double Sharp is a “D” Natural.
The Double Flat is required below becaust the note “B” is usually played as a flatted note in the Key of “Ab”. “B” Double Flat is therefore needed.
Volti Subito: Or simply “V.S.” means that a fast page turn is needed in order to keep up.
“V.S.” or “V.S. -time” means there is little bit of time after the page turn before you start playing.
“V.S. -no time” or “V.S. -quickly” means that you need to turn the page almost as your playing.
S.R.: Stands for ‘senza’, which means do not take the repeats.
C.R.: With Repeats. ‘Con’ is the Italian word for ‘with’.
CHART READING EXERCISE I
ROADMAP:
Play bars 1-4, back to TOP, take second ending (skipping the first) then back to TOP take 3rd ending and continue till the end.
D.C. tells you to go back to the top, C.R. tells you to take the repeats (endings 2 & 3) yet again. You’ll stop at the very last measure, marked fine.
CHART READING EXERCISE II
ROADMAP:
Play bars 1-4, back to TOP, take second ending (skipping the first) then back to TOP take 3rd ending and continue till the end.
D.C. tells you to go back to the top, S.R. tells you to SKIP the repeats (endings 2 & 3). This means that you jump from the first ending, the blue measure in the diagram below, and jump right to the next line. You’ll stop at the very last measure, marked fine.
This lesson is designed to familiarize you with the basic language of music. Knowing and understanding this language makes playing and writing music much easier and much more enjoyable. When you write something, always use the musically correct indications and markings. It’s an ezxcellenthabit and a good way of making sure your music will not only be played properly but saved in print properly as well.
GuitarU.com exclusive!!!
Musicians Dictionary: Slang Jargon And Tech Talk is available only at GuitarU.com by exclusive arrangement with the author. Funny and entertaining as well as being highly informative GuitarU.com offers this book with pride.
Available only at GuitarU.com, $12.95 + postage. For a safe, secure transfer CLICK HERE.