Music Symbols Symbols & Their Meanings
10 music symbols symbols explained — meaning, origin, spiritual significance, and how each one is used today.
Bass Clef
Bass Clef — the F clef — its two dots straddle the fourth line (F), anchoring the lower register.
📈Crescendo Symbol (<)
The Crescendo Symbol (<): the opening hairpin — grow gradually louder, like a wave building.
♪Eighth Note (♪)
Eighth Note (♪) — a note lasting half a beat — the flag on its stem is what makes it fast.
𝄐Fermata (𝄐)
Fermata (𝄐) — the eye-shaped hold — stretch this note or rest beyond its value, as long as the moment needs.
♭Flat Symbol (♭)
Flat Symbol (♭) — lowers a note a half step — from a rounded lowercase b.
𝒇Forte Symbol (f)
The Forte Symbol (f): play loud — Italian for "strong"; ff and fff escalate to very loud and deafeningly loud.
🎹Piano Symbol (p)
The Piano Symbol (p): play soft — Italian for "quiet"; piano the instrument is actually named after its dynamic …
🔁Repeat Sign (𝄆 𝄇)
The Repeat Sign (𝄆 𝄇): double barline with dots — go back and play the section again.
♯Sharp Symbol (♯)
Sharp Symbol (♯) — raises a note a half step — it predates and inspired the hashtag, not the other way around.
𝄞Treble Clef (𝄞)
Treble Clef (𝄞) — the G clef — its inner spiral wraps the second line, fixing that line as G and anchoring all h…