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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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O God, our help in ages past

Experience of God As the Dwelling Place

English607
1
O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.
2
Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defence is sure.
3
Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.
4
A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.
5
Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.
6
O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while life shall last,
And our eternal home.

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Omolayo Akinlade

Lagos, Nigeria

Feb 15, 2024

As I was having my quiet time this morning in our daily a reference was made to this song and the Holy Spirit impressed the song on my heart I searched it out and sang it over and over. Almighty is indeed my help I had a great renewal of faith

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Elisabeth

Luquillo, Puerto Rico

Feb 3, 2024

I was reading and praying through Psalm 18 when the first line of this hymns came to mind. I love how God works.

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Oghenekaro Akponah

Oghara, Delta, Nigeria

Jan 28, 2024

My last child took I'll yesterday and although the night my husband and I couldn't sleep well. In the early hours of the morning when the child fell asleep, I decided to read my Bible and as I was about to pray the hymn welled up in my spirit. I hummed it and wanted to continue with my prayer but didn't have that release until I searched out and sang the six stanzas and my heart was greatly encouraged. His love and care for us are beyond what we think or imagine. God is indeed with us in every situation we go through, we are not alone. Thank you, Lord Jesus.

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Connie McClellan

United States

Jan 17, 2024

As I was having my quiet time this morning, and doing a Bible study in the songs, a question was sing a simple hymn of praise to God no matter how you might be feeling at the moment. I had been feeling some anxiety over the ice storm. We’ve had recently. When the power went out and it began to get colder and colder in our house. The anxiety became more and more but this song came to my mind. I have not sung this song for decades, so I looked it up online and found the words. These words blessed me, and gave me peace in the midst of the storm. God is our help in ages past our hope for here to come!

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Anne Dunning

Charlotte, NC, United States

Dec 9, 2023

Trust in Him; He is our refuge and strength, a very help in time of trouble (Ps 461: 1-3

This morning it seemed for a varity of reasons that anxiety was overwhelming me, I gave Him my emotions and called to HIm. This ancient hymn came floating into my mind for the first time in decades. From when I was a kid in church. Even then through the music He was stuffing me with His truth and pulled it up today. The tune came first but I had to ske for the words. They came.

I beieve the mountains and hills the change and the roaring sea are metaphorical ( in our current day and age) for the man made security structions that usually seem to be near. They fail, but He is our refuge and strength forever.

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Raphael Sylvester-Akindele

Ilorin, Nigeria

Dec 3, 2023

when I was in the kidnappers den for four days, the Holy Spirit brought this song into my heart, although I did not know the wording but kept humming the ryhme in my heart throughout. Although a harrowing experience, the Lord delivered me from the stormy blast and He is indeed my eternal home... I had to search for the song when I returned and couldn't sing the second stanza when tears started rolling on my cheeks.... may His name be eternally praised!

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Lynn Kopala

Tampa, FL, United States

Nov 9, 2023

Charlotte Bronte included this beloved hymn in the critical turning point chapter of her masterpiece novel "Shirley."

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Ana Lara

Storrs, Connecticut, United States

Oct 12, 2023

If you ever visit South Hampton, down on the lower coast of England, you might be pleasantly surprised to hear the city bell tower ring out the tune of, “Oh, God, our help in ages past, ” right at the stroke of 12 noon. Written by Isaac Watts, who came from that great city, it has become a notable hymn, played at critical national events in Britain, including when Britain declared war at the start of World War II, as well as the funeral of Winston Churchill, arguably the greatest Englishman, who ever lived. Composed at another crucial moment in British history, when Queen Anne lay dying 300 years ago, without having left an heir to the throne, and leaving a lot of uncertainty about the nation’s future. It reflects some of the words of psalm 90. A rather somber statement written by Moses near the end of his life, this song reminds us that, just as God has watched over and guided us in the past, so He will do so in the future as well. These same thoughts are expressed in the hymn.

Rev. L. Codington

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Anonymous

Nigeria

Sep 30, 2023

As I was praying this morning this song came to my mind. I searched for it, sang it and I was relieved of my burden. I believe the Lord is in control and will do us the Best in Jesus Name. Amen.

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Ayorinde Olubo

Kaduna, Nigeria

Sep 3, 2023

I can’t but express my gratitude to God my Ebenezer. I pray for the sister in Miami that God will turn mourning to Joy. Because God is with her and has never left. His mercy will her through, IJN

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