Editing Sheet music (section)

===Musical notation ===
The type of [[musical notation]] varies a great deal by genre or style of music. In most [[classical music]], the [[melody]] and [[accompaniment]] parts (if present) are notated on the lines of a [[staff (music)|staff]] using round note heads. In classical sheet music, the staff typically contains:
[[File:DwtkII-as-dur-fuga.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Page from the autograph score of Fugue No. 17 in A{{music|flat}} major from [[Johann Sebastian Bach|J. S. Bach]]'s ''[[The Well-Tempered Clavier]]'']]
# a [[clef]], such as [[bass clef]] {{music|bass}} or [[treble clef]] {{music|treble}}
# a [[key signature]] indicating the [[key (music)|key]]—for instance, a key signature with three [[Sharp (music)|sharps]] {{music|a major}} is typically used for the key of either [[A major]] or [[F-sharp minor|F{{music|sharp}} minor]]
# a [[time signature]], which typically has two numbers aligned vertically with the bottom number indicating the [[note value]] that represents one [[Beat (music)|beat]] and the top number indicating how many beats are in a [[Bar (music)|bar]]—for instance, a time signature of {{music|time|2|4|}} indicates that there are two [[quarter note]]s (crotchets) per bar.

Most songs and pieces from the [[Classical period (music)|Classical period]] ({{Circa|1750}}) onward indicate the piece's [[tempo]] using an [[Tempo#Basic tempo markings|expression]]—often in Italian—such as ''Allegro'' (fast) or ''Grave'' (slow) as well as its [[dynamics (music)|dynamics]] (loudness or softness). The [[lyrics]], if present, are written near the melody notes. However, music from the [[Baroque music|Baroque era]] ({{circa|1600}}–1750) or earlier eras may have neither a tempo marking nor a dynamic indication. The singers and musicians of that era were expected to know what tempo and loudness to play or sing a given song or piece due to their musical experience and knowledge. In the [[contemporary classical music]] era (20th and 21st century), and in some cases before (such as the [[Romantic music|Romantic]] period in [[German language|German-speaking]] regions), composers often used their native language for tempo indications, rather than Italian (e.g., "fast" or "''schnell''") or added [[metronome]] markings (e.g., {{music|quarternote}} = 100 beats per minute).

These conventions of classical music notation, and in particular the use of English tempo instructions, are also used for sheet music versions of 20th and 21st century [[popular music]] songs. Popular music songs often indicate both the tempo and genre: "slow blues" or "uptempo rock". Pop songs often contain chord names above the staff using letter names (e.g., C Maj, F Maj, G7, etc.), so that an [[acoustic guitar]]ist or pianist can improvise a chordal [[accompaniment]].

In other styles of music, different musical notation methods may be used. In [[jazz]], for example, while most professional performers can read "classical"-style notation, many jazz tunes are notated using [[chord chart]]s, which indicate the [[chord progression]] of a song (e.g., C, A7, d minor, G7, etc.) and its [[song form|form]]. Members of a jazz [[rhythm section]] (a [[jazz piano|piano]] player, [[jazz guitar]]ist and [[jazz bass|bassist]]) use the [[chord chart]] to guide their [[jazz improvisation|improvised]] [[accompaniment]] parts, while the "lead instruments" in a jazz group, such as a [[saxophone]] player or [[trumpet]]er, use the chord changes to guide their solo improvisation. Like popular music songs, jazz tunes often indicate both the tempo and genre: "slow blues" or ''fast bop''.

Professional [[country music]] [[session musician]]s typically use music notated in the [[Nashville Number System]], which indicates the chord progression using numbers (this enables [[bandleader]]s to change the key at a moment's notice). Chord charts using letter names, numbers, or [[Roman numeral analysis|Roman numerals]] (e.g., I–IV–V) are also widely used for notating music by [[blues]], [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]], [[rock music]] and [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] musicians. Some chord charts do not provide any rhythmic information, but others use slashes to indicate beats of a bar and [[rhythm]] notation to indicate [[syncopation|syncopated]] "hits" that the songwriter wants all of the band to play together. Many guitar players and [[electric bass]] players learn songs and note tunes using [[tablature]], which is a graphic representation of which frets and strings the performer should play. "Tab" is widely used by rock music and heavy metal guitarists and bassists. Singers in many [[popular music]] styles learn a song using only a lyrics sheet, learning the melody and rhythm "[[Playing by ear|by ear]]" from the recording.