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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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There is a place of quiet rest

Longings For Fellowship with Christ

English375
1
There is a place of quiet rest,
Near to the heart of God,
A place where sin cannot molest,
Near to the heart of God.
 
O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God,
Hold us, who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.
2
There is a place of comfort sweet,
Near to the heart of God,
A place where we our Savior meet,
Near to the heart of God.
3
There is a place of full release,
Near to the heart of God,
A place where all is joy and peace,
Near to the heart of God.

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Steve Miller

Detroit, MI, United States

Feb 10, 2013

Cleland McAfee, a Presbyterian minister in Chicago, had just received word that his brother and sister-in-law had lost both of their daughters to diphtheria within 24 hrs. Grief-stricken, McAfee couldn't think of deep theological issues; he could only think of verses in the book of Psalms that brought comfort and rest to those who sought refuge in the Lord. As he meditated on God's Word, he wrote the words and music to this simple hymn.

At the double funeral, outside the darkened quarantined house of his brother, Cleland McAfee with a choking voice sang this hymn publicly for the 1st time. The following Sunday, his church choir sang it from their pastor's handwritten copy. - Great Songs of Faith by Brown & Norton

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Betty Jane Bonn

Dunlap, Illinois, United States

Nov 20, 2012

I'd like to take this opportunity to request that you consider posting the beloved hymn, "Be Still My Soul," on your website. It has calmed my fears and has deeply ministered to my soul over and over again. Thank you for your consideration.

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Betty Jane Bonn

Dunlap, Illinois, United States

Nov 20, 2012

On June 30 I posted about our son (50 years old), that he get a job after 3 1/2 years without a job. He is a Christian and an excellent computer programmer, but downsizing and a thing called "unemployment discrimination" worked against him. During that time he lost his condo and all contents; he became homeless and lived in his car. He didn't get the job for which we prayed on June 30, but on July 24, 2012, he started a new job and was able to move into a motel. he immediately instituted a program of debt reduction and declared a year of austerity. In November he moved into a new condo. I thank the Lord that he saw us through this heart wrenching time. We remained near to the heart of God in our prayers for our son and lifted him up every day before the throne of God. All praise to our Heavenly Father forever! Our thanks to all of you who prayed for our son! We're so thankful for this fellowship of believers all over the world! Please agree with us that all the emotional wounds our son incurred during this time of joblessness and homelessness be healed out of memory. Thank you and God bless you all.

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Hazel Cornes

Bridgend, Mid Glam

Nov 5, 2012

Thrilled to find this hymn. I sometimes paint pictures and offer them to a friend with a meaningful quote. We all need a quiet place from time to time. This was not only nostalgic but a real blessing to read again and sing to the music. The other comments were also a blessing. Thank you for the idea, and the Holy Spirit's binding in fellowship.

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Betty Bonn

Dunlap, Illinois, United States

Jun 30, 2012

Today (Saturday), and tomorrow, I am particulrly abiding in this song, "Near to the Heart of God" and in this Scripture: John 15:7 (KJV)

7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

We are believing for the news Monday to be that my son (50 years old) has a job after 3 1/2 years without a job. He is an excellent computer programmer, but downsizing and a thing called "unemployment discrimination" have worked against him for some time now. Please agree with us in prayer that he receives this job. God bless you all--our hearts all need His heart in order to live--near to the heart of God.

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Genevieve D'Unienville

Melbourne, Vic, Australia

Oct 5, 2011

Thank you for this song, as the Lord reminded me of His words of comfort from a long time ago, I am so glad to be reminded again of that precious and priceless place of rest near His Father's heart.

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Yallah

Idyllwild, CA, United States

Sep 15, 2011

This song encourages me to long for the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. There really is a place called "Silence" and that place is in the presence of God. This song brings all the memories of that special place I have been before.

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Anson Malcolm

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Aug 31, 2011

I went to a funeral for one of my wife's relative and on the program this was one of the songs that was sung. I remembered as a boy over 45 years ago, that song was always sung by the choir and it has always brought a great blessing to me and after not hearing it for so long, I must say nothing has changed.

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Jude Sears

Riverton, Southland, New Zealand

Dec 31, 2009

The words of this song have been imbedded in my memory since who knows when, and every now and then God brings them up to the surface and reminds of the wonderful rest that can only be found in His presence. I was delighted to find all the lyrics of this song. Thank you and bless you.

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Liz Dickson

United States

Dec 11, 2009

This blessed my heart on a stormy day. I hear this song each time I read Hebrews 4:9 "There remains a rest for the people of God". And Psalm 31:20 "You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence". The beautiful piano accompaniment was a blessing to the words as they brought me near to the heart of God. Thank you.

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