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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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Blessing and honor and glory be Thine

Praise of the Lord General

English241
 
Blessing and honor and glory be Thine,
And glory be Thine,
And glory be Thine.
Blessing and honor and glory be Thine,
Both now and evermore.
 
Praise Him! Praise Him!
All ye saints adore Him.
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Both now and evermore.
Hallelujah!
 
Blessing and honor and glory be Thine,
And glory be Thine,
And glory be Thine,
Blessing and honor and glory be Thine,
Both now and evermore.

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Sebastian

Fort Myers, Florida, United States

Nov 16, 2025

Oh Lord Jesus

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Un Hermano

Aug 29, 2025

We enjoy singing the hymn
that is based on Revelation 5:12-13 :
Blessing and honor and glory be Thine,
And glory be Thine, And glory be Thine.
Blessing and honor and glory be Thine,
Both now and evermore.
( Hymns, #241)

The blessing, honor, and glory are for the Lamb, not on the cross but standing before the throne at the center of the universe and receiving a universal commission. We must not be so shallow as to confine our praises to Christ for redemption only. Our vision must be uplifted to see this Lamb accomplishing a work of eternally vast dimensions.

Consider this photograph that John has taken for us. The redeeming Lamb is now standing at the center of the universe, before God’s throne. This tells us that the Redeemer is now in God’s administration. He is the Administrator of the universe, executing God’s economy. He is not sitting or sleeping there. He is standing, His seven eyes flashing, watching, searching, and even burning. The whole universe is watching this scene. The four living creatures, the twenty-four elders, myriads of angels, and all other creatures are wide awake, alert, observing. These are the circumstances in which they proclaim, “To Him who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb be the blessing and the honor and the glory and the might forever and ever” ( Rev. 5:13 ).

How do we know that this scene took place at the time when Christ ascended? We conclude this from verse 6 , where the Lamb is described as “having just been slain. ” The Greek here implies that He had just recently been slain. Right after His sacrificial death, He received the universal and eternal commission from God’s hand.

The Heavenly Ministry of Christ
CWWL, 1980, vol. 2
Chapter 2 Section 1 (LSM)

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Nicole Ho

Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Mar 2, 2025

Blessing and honor and glory be Thine, both now and evermore!

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Jim

Mansfield, OH, United States

May 28, 2023

These things have been taught to me from my youth Does this make sense?

BLESSING and HONER and GLORY be His!

Why do we celebrate the Lord with the Lord’s table? (The bread and wine). What do you think?

We must be clear this meeting is not a ritual. It does not make us a member of a “church”. It does not make us “special”. The purpose of this meeting is to focus us on Christ and to bring to mind the one true God we worship. Here we can really have a fresh touch with Christ.

1 Cor. 11:24, says “This do in remembrance of me”. This is the key to enjoying the Lord. Christ is our POC with God. The symbols at the Lord’s table all have very great significance, but they are overall intended to focus us on Christ, Specifically His death. The matter of remembrance is crucial. A table is a place to eat and drink. At the beginning of the table meeting (last supper), Christ said “take eat”. This seems emphasized. We must see the picture here. He is the bread of life that came down from heaven. Spiritually to eat is to take His words by faith into our spirit. By eating and drinking (spiritually) we enjoy Him and remember Him as our very life. So the table is to bring us back to enjoy Him. How soon we forget Him! The Table Meeting brings us to Christ as our center and enjoyment. It stirs our highest love and strengthens our faith. It raises Christ up by remembering His self-denying love for us. GOD DIED! That was the conclusion of His shortened suffering human life. His death is the single most important element in our Christian faith. We can live a Christian life because of our faith in Him. Gal 2:20, “… The life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself up (died! ) for me. If He did not die, we could not live. Simply put, if no death no life.

NOW WE NOT ONLY REMEMBER HIS DEATH, (1 Cor:26) WE DECLARE HIS DEATH UNTIL HE RETURNS!

HE AS A MAN IS COMING BACK SOON !!

THE LORD KNEW HE MUST DIE. IT WAS CRUCIAL FOR HIM TO DIE, NOT ONLY FOR OUR REDEMPTION BUT TO IMPART HIS LIFE INTO US. (Rom 5:9) Much more than having been justified by His blood, we are being saved from His wrath. Much more having been reconciled by the death of His son, we are being saved (continual salvation) by His life. If He did not die He could never have given us His resurrection life. Heb 2:9, prophesied in Psalms 8:12. He was made a little lower than the angels because of the suffering of death. Angels are eternal beings that don’t die. God‘s righteousness required blood which speaks of death. No amount of rhodium could pay the cost of our redemption. The cost can not be calculated. Heb 2:7, Psalms 8:5 As a result of His faithfulness The father crowned him with glory and honor. JESUS took the bitter cup for each one of us. Selah.

So this meeting (celebration) should result in us giving Him GLORY and HONOR now. Psalms 8:5 David and sawGods blessing and honor on Him knew of this coming Christ He wondered what He saw in man that He would lay down His life for him. Phil. 2:10-11 and Rev 5:12-13 These verses speak to His excellency being recognized by all creation in the future when He returns, but here we give Him BLESSiNG and HONER and GLORY today! What a testimony to all men and principalities and powers!

The table meeting does not make an assembly a church. It should show that this assembly puts Christ first!

Also Reference hymn-Jesus the crucified far above all!

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Francis Y. Chow

Anaheim, California, United States

Mar 20, 2020

Blessing and honor and glory be Thine! and glory be Thine.

Hallelujah!

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Lisa Batten

Jerusalem, Israel

Nov 16, 2017

So refreshing! All the blessing and honour and glory to You Lord for what You have done and are doing and will do. We love You more than any person and any 'thing'.

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Philip V Ariel

Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India

Aug 19, 2013

Wonderful and blessed one. Thanks for sharing.

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Steward

Columbus, North Dakota, United States

Nov 29, 2008

I just love this song. It is a wonderful, life-giving praise song to our Lord Jesus Christ. Blessing and honor and glory be unto Him now and for ever more. Lord Jesus, we love You. We thank You for all that You have done for us. And, we thank You that You are making more home in our hearts each day as we keep coming to You in your Words and in prayer. Hallelujah! Praise Him!

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