Notation In Manuscript - Noteheads

Front 1

Notehead shape
and stem length

Back 1

Noteheads are oval in shape. Stems are attached to the notehead and about one octave in length.

Front 2

Direction of stems

Back 2

Stems go down on notes above the middle line and up below the middles line. Notes located on the middle line typically have stems going down, except when the stems of adjacent notes are in opposite direction.

Front 3

Stems on notes with ledger lines.

Back 3

The stems of notes on ledger lines should extend to the middle line of the staff.

Front 4

Angle of beam connecting noteheads

Back 4

The beam connecting noteheads do not cross more than one line of staff. When notes are a large interval apart, lengthen the stem of one or more notes to prevent the beam from crossing more than one line.

Front 5

Direction of stems when more than one melody occupies the same staff.

Back 5

When 2 melodies occupy the same staff, the stems for one melody are up and for the other melody, they are down.

Front 6

Beaming groups of notes

Back 6

Beam groups of eighth notes and smaller note values according to the beats in the measure.

Front 7

Flags for eighth notes and and smaller note values

Back 7

Flags are used for eighth or or shorter value notes that are not grouped within a beat. Flags are always on the right.