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About Numbered Notation

All steps
  1. The numbers are the notes of a scale
  2. “1=C” tells you where to start
  3. Dots make a note higher or lower
  4. How long each note lasts
  5. 0 means rest
  6. Bar lines and the time signature
  7. Curves: ties and slurs
  8. The words sit under the numbers
  9. Repeat signs and 1. 2. endings
  10. Minor keys: “6=A”
  11. Put it together: a line of a hymn
  12. Check yourself
  13. Try it on a hymn

The numbers are the notes of a scale

Numbered notation (jianpu, 简谱) writes a melody as numbers instead of notes on a staff. You do not need to read music: take one small step at a time and press Play on any example to hear it while each number lights up. Sound only starts when you press Play.

Instead of notes on a staff, each note is a number from 1 to 7. They are the seven steps of the scale you already know: do re mi fa sol la ti. After 7 the scale starts again at 1.

The seven numbers with their names. Press Play and say each name as its number lights up.
Sing along: do re mi fa sol, and back down to do.

If you can sing do re mi, you can already sing every number from 1 to 7. Tap or click any number to hear just that note.

“1=C” tells you where to start

At the top left of the sheet you will see something like 1=C. It means the number 1 (do) is the note C, and every other number counts up from there. 1=G means do is G, so the whole tune sits a little higher. Nothing else changes: the same numbers make the same shape, only higher or lower.

1=C: do is C.
1=G: the same numbers, starting higher.

Not sure where C is? On a piano it is the white key just left of the two black keys. Or ignore the letter and start on any note that is comfortable for your voice: the tune only has to keep its shape. The − and + key buttons on a hymn page shift the key for you.

Dots make a note higher or lower

A dot above a number means one octave higher. A dot below means one octave lower. Two dots mean two octaves. No dot is the middle range, where most of a tune lives. The name stays the same; only the height changes.

The same number at three heights: dot below, no dot, dot above.
A tune that climbs: it starts on a low sol and ends on a high do.

How long each note lasts

Tap your foot at a steady pace: each tap is a beat. A plain number lasts one beat, so you sing a new number on every tap. Dashes, lines and dots change that.

A plain number is one beat

Four numbers, four beats: one number for each tap.

A dash holds the note longer

Each dash adds one beat. The 5 lasts two beats and the 3 lasts four.

A line underneath makes it shorter

One line is half a beat, so two underlined numbers share one beat. (Two lines are a quarter of a beat.)

A dot after makes it half as long again

A dot after a number adds half its length. The first 5 lasts a beat and a half, and the short 3 fills the rest of the second beat.

0 means rest

A 0 is silence for one beat. Keep counting and keep tapping, but do not sing. Dashes after a 0 make the silence longer, just as they hold a note longer.

Sing 1 3 5, stay quiet for one beat, then come back down. Rests light up too, so you can feel the pause.

Bar lines and the time signature

Tall lines cut the music into bars, each holding the same number of beats. The two small numbers at the start, like 4/4 or 3/4, say how many: 4/4 is four beats in every bar, 3/4 is three. The first beat of each bar is the strongest, so lean on it a little. A double line with a thick edge marks the end.

4/4: count 1 2 3 4, 1 2 3 4. The first beat of each bar sounds a little louder.
3/4: count 1 2 3, 1 2 3, the lilt of a waltz.

Curves: ties and slurs

A curve over numbers joins them. If it joins two of the same number, it is a tie: sing the note once and hold it for both. If it joins different numbers, it is a slur: sing them all on one syllable, gliding from one to the next.

A tie: the 5 is sung once and held across the bar line, six beats in all.
A slur: “Him” is sung on two notes, 3 then 2.

The words sit under the numbers

Each number gets one syllable, written right underneath it. A short dash after part of a word means the word carries on under the next number. If a number has nothing under it, it belongs to a curve or a dash: keep singing the syllable you are on.

Read left to right, one syllable for each number: Twin-kle, twin-kle, lit-tle star.

Repeat signs and 1. 2. endings

A bar line with two dots, :|, means go back and sing that part again, from the matching |: sign (or from the start if there is none). Sometimes the repeat has two endings. Sing ending 1. the first time; on the repeat, skip it and sing ending 2. instead.

Play it: you hear the 1. ending, the repeat, then the 2. ending. Watch the highlight jump back.

Minor keys: “6=A”

A song in a minor key, which usually sounds more serious or tender, is labeled like 6=A instead of 1=C. It means the number 6 (la) is the home note, here A. The numbers keep their usual names; the tune simply feels at home on 6 and often ends there. 6=A uses the same notes as 1=C.

It starts and ends on 6 (la), the home note. Listen to the darker colour.

Put it together: a line of a hymn

This is the first line of hymn 8, “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow”, written in numbered notation. Try the slow tempo first, and sing the words as each number lights up.

1=G in 4/4. Three silent beats, then “Praise” on beat 4. The dots under 7, 6 and 5 mean those notes dip one octave lower.

Check yourself

Four quick questions, with no score and no pressure. Tap an answer to see right away why it is right or wrong. You can always try another answer.

Tap the number that is held the longest.

Tap the 5 that is one octave higher than the first 5.

What does a 0 mean?

Under 1=G, which note is the number 1?

Try it on a hymn

You opened this from a hymn that has a Numbered view, so you can try it right now.

  1. Look at the top left of the sheet: the key, such as 1=D, and the time signature, such as 3/4.
  2. Find the first number and sing it. Then follow the numbers from left to right with the words underneath, one syllable for each number. Press Play in the player to hear the recording while you follow.
  3. Letters above the numbers (C, G7) are chords for a guitarist or pianist. Ignore them while you learn the tune.
  4. To be guided, open the Learn tab and press Play. Under Display, set Learn notation to Numbered (or choose Numbered on the Lead Sheet tab first). For hymns that have numbered lines, each line of numbers scrolls into view in time with the recording while a bouncing ball follows the words; other hymns show the piano notation there. The Speed menu slows it down.

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What can wash away my sin

Gospel The Blood

English1008
1
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
 
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
2
For my cleansing this I see—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
For my pardon this my plea—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
3
Nothing can my sin erase
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Naught of works, ’tis all of grace—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
4
This is all my hope and peace—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
This is all my righteousness—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!

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Bro Okunbor Hycent

Abuja, FCT, Nigeria

Nov 13, 2016

This song just brought tears in my eyes. Reminding me the love of God.

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Barry Chant

Miranda, NSW, Australia

Oct 24, 2016

For ages I have wanted to comment on Robert Lowry's popular hymn Nothing but the Blood of Jesus. There is a question about whether the Bible itself ever talks of being 'washed' in the blood (in Rev 1:5 the verb is better translated 'loosed' or 'freed'). But my point here is a wistful sadness that the word 'sin' is so often used in the first line rather than 'stain'. There is evidence that the latter was Lowry's choice. Of course it rhymes better with 'again' in the third line. But more to the point, it is such a colourful word. How easily we can picture the ugly stain of sin blackening our lives like a huge ink-spill. What a pity the more common but less pointed word 'sin' is so often used. Of course, both terms are theologically correct. But the charm of poetry is largely that it can create images that make us envision things in a new and vivid way. Language is one great gift God has given us that separates us from the rest of creation. It is important to make full use of its marvellous potential. It is also worth lamenting that one modern update of the song uses the lazy term 'gonna' more than once. If you are wondering what on earth I am on about, and how creative and beautiful language can evoke an indescribable deep yearning and incomparable inward delight in the human soul, don't worry. Just turn the TV back on.

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Ven.Dr. Kunle Obadina

Ilaro, Ogun, Nigeria

Oct 15, 2016

This hymn summarizes the authenticity of Christianity and its supremacy over other religions. It is Ephesians 2: 8 & 9 in song. God absolve my sins and yours only the supreme work of atonement on the Calvary. What a great privilege to be His son. God bless you as you meditate and sing this song.

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Areola John Bayo

Ogbomoso, Oyo, Nigeria

Oct 3, 2016

If you are called a Christian or you have a Christian name does not guarantee heaven but you acknowledging the saving power and the significance of the blood of Jesus.

Let us continually give room for Jesus in our heart.This hymn will continually be my heart cry, Amen.

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Ruby Watson

Wolverhampton, West Midlands, United Kingdom

Sep 26, 2016

This is such a beautiful hymn. The words are so true that the blood of Jesus gives life, it heals and washes away the very thing that keeps us separated from God, our creator. Have you ever considered accepting the fact that Jesus is the son of God and you need, Jesus to help you in your life on a daily basis? Why not take time to think about that now and ask Jesus into your life if you feel that He can help you to live a much more meaningful life than you are now.

May you find spending time talking to Jesus a comfort as I do.

Ruby Watson

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Akugbe Ogboe Vincent

Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

Aug 28, 2016

Oh the blood of Jesus that was shed over 2000 years ago on the cross to redeem me from all slain of the enemy Satan, from day to day, It will never lose its power, it reaches to the highest mountain and flows to the deepest valley, from day to day, it will never lose its powers....

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Edidiong Isong Udoh

Ph, Rivers States, Nigeria

Aug 19, 2016

Apart from the cleansing power and forgiveness offered by the blood of Jesus. One night I was praying with a friend the Lord opened his eyes and he saw a demon in a corner of the room as I plead the blood of Jesus the demon vanished. Praise God there is power in the blood. The bible says and they overcame him the devil by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony. When the blood is pleaded out of a pure heart as and faith filled heart it protects, dismiss evil presence. Some churches had been deceived by saying where do see the blood? The blood of Jesus is the very life of Christ and so when you plead if you are invoking the life of Christ into manifestations. Wherever there is a manifested presence of Christ Jesus Eden can be found, health is restored peace and security, quietness etc is found thank God for the precious blood of Jesus it's the redeeming blood plead it by faith anywhere anytime anyhow amen

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Eric Smith

Campbell, CA, United States

Jul 14, 2016

Jesus is my rock and the source of strength. I lean on the Lord during times like this.

Amen.

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Mark

Kyle, Saskatoon, Canada

Jul 12, 2016

Impossible to comprehend!!!

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Annelise Franks

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Jun 27, 2016

The precious Blood of Jesus has never lost its power. I am redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb. Thank You Jesus YOU ARE THE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS AMEN!

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