Staff notation is a system used to write music using symbols placed on a set of horizontal lines and spaces.

It is one of the most important foundations of Western music education because it allows musicians to read, write, learn and communicate music without depending only on listening or memorising.

Just as written language allows us to communicate words, music notation allows musicians to communicate musical ideas.

Staff notation can show important musical information such as:

• Pitch
• Rhythm
• Note duration
• Tempo
• Musical dynamics
• Time signature
• Key
• Expression
• Articulation

For students preparing for a music grade examination, learning staff notation is an important part of developing complete musical understanding.