# Reading primer

> Interactive page: [`reading.html`](reading.html)

This page adds rhythm, lead-sheet letters, and the staff on top of tablature. Grid and symbols live on [Foundations · Tablatures — How to read tabs](foundations.md). Interactive staff lessons are on [Sight Reading Practice](/sangeet-yatra/tools/sight-reading.html). Durations are on [Western theory · Note values](/sangeet-yatra/theory/western/#note-values); you strum them on [Strumming](strumming.md). First-position seats also sit on [Classical · C ladder](drills-classical.md). Rhythm room: [Dividing the beat](/sangeet-yatra/rhythm/dividing.md) names the note lengths you read.

## From tablature to this page

Full tablature reference stays on [Foundations · Tablatures — How to read tabs](foundations.md). This page covers *how long*, chord letters, and staff pitch.

## Rhythm reading cards

Clap, or play **open G** (one pitch, so the job is duration). Count out loud. The names are on [Western theory · Note values](/sangeet-yatra/theory/western/#note-values).

- Four quarters — count 1 2 3 4
- Two halves — count 1 (2)  3 (4)
- Whole note — one sound for the bar
- Eighths — 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
- Quarter rest, then three quarters — (rest) 2 3 4
- Quarter + two eighths + two quarters

A rest is silence of that length — keep counting. Beams on eighths show the beat.

## Chord symbols above the staff

Lead sheets put **chord letters above** the melody staff. This room usually prints the letters and TAB without a melody (no copyrighted tunes). The idea is the same: play the harmony from the letters while someone else has the notes — or while you strum and sing.

```
     G                 C                 D                 G
     (quarters: down-strums)
```

The staff would hold a melody we do not print. You own the letters. Same G–C–D map as [Play along](songs.md).

## Staff reading

Five lines, four spaces. The **treble clef** (G-clef) curls around the second line up — that line is **G** (the G above middle C, as *written*). Guitar writes that G for the open G string, but it *sounds* an octave lower.

- **Lines** (bottom to top, written): E G B D F — “Every Good Boy Does Fine.”
- **Spaces**: F A C E.
- **Ledger lines** extend the staff (middle C sits on one ledger below).
- **Note values** (whole, half, quarter, eighth, rest) are named on [Western theory · Note values](/sangeet-yatra/theory/western/#note-values).
- **Stems:** notes below the middle line (B) usually stem *up* from the right; on or above the middle line, stem *down* from the left. Beams group eighths by beat.

## Combining Tab and Staff — First-position notes

**First position** (frets 0–4, one finger per fret, no shift): the HTML page shows each note on the staff, on the C ladder TAB, and on the neck together when you run **Play C major scale** or **Play all first position naturals**. On guitar, written staff pitch is an octave above sound — use TAB and the neck for where to press.


Next: [Foundations · TAB](foundations.md) · [Strumming](strumming.md) · [Classical drills](drills-classical.md).