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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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Take the name of Jesus with you

Comfort in Trials By the Lord’s Name

English670
1
Take the name of Jesus with you,
Child of sorrow and of woe;
It will joy and comfort give you,
Take it then where’er you go.
 
Precious name! Oh, how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of heav’n;
Precious name! Oh, how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of heav’n.
2
Take the name of Jesus ever,
As a shield from every snare.
If temptations ’round you gather,
Breathe that holy name in prayer.
3
Oh, the precious name of Jesus,
How it thrills our souls with joy;
All the favor of the Father
In this name we may enjoy.
4
At the name of Jesus bowing,
Falling prostrate at His feet,
Claim His vict’ry over evil
And the enemy defeat.

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Peter Kruse

Cherry Hill, NJ, United States

Feb 19, 2018

Meditating this morning on the Lord's Prayer: hallowed be Thy Name. What better way to uphold the Name than to sing His praise! His Name is Wonderful; Jesus Jesus Jesus, there's just something about that Name; and Take the Name of Jesus with you are the hymns of praise that stir my heart today.

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Dennis

Kernersville, NC, United States

Feb 15, 2018

Think of this hymn which was playing at dear friends mother's home going. As I remember as a younger man I remember the verse like this At the name of Jesus bow in, falling prostrate at His feet. King of Kings in heaven we'll crown Him when our journey is complete. Sister Hill completed her journey. She ran a good race she finished her course, she kept the faith, ad Paul said; there is a crown of righteousness laid up for her, though not only her, or Paul, but for all who keep the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Our earthly walk is the shortest time that we shall be separated from our loved ones who died in Christ Jesus.

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Boye Shoroye

Lagos, Nigeria

Dec 2, 2017

Stumbled upon this hymn in my daily devotional today, and I can’t seem to get enough of it. It reminds me of the blessed assurance that the name of Christ is all I need.

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Lois Gayle

Kingston, St Andrew, Jamaica

Nov 7, 2017

I feel so 'down' this morning. I know my Lord reigns but the burden seems too much. Then The Holy Spirit raises a song in my spirit - "Take the Name of Jesus with you" - Alleluia! what a blessing it brought! Thank God for these brothers and sisters who He anointed and gifted to produce these beautiful songs. They are truly refreshing and rejuvenating - tremendous "lifter-uppers" when the old dragon seeks to cast us down. "Father, please touch another cast-down spirit this morning in Jesus Name! Amen.

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Jeffrey Jones

Cowan, Manitoba, Canada

Aug 17, 2017

This morning I awoke at about 3am from a nightmare, with a heavy oppression from the enemy. I began to fight back with the name of our Lord Jesus, declaring his Lordship and singing His praises. This is one of the excellent songs that came to my mind this morning! This song must have been inspired by the Lord Himself!

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Tricia Cantrell

Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, United States

Oct 5, 2016

This morning as my 16 yr old son sits in class at his public high school, I remember these wonderful words, "Take the name of Jesus With You". I am going to send him the lyrics via text in hopes that it's message will encourage his heart to stand for Christ while others around him are not.

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Cheryl Brady

Stevens Point, Wisconsin, United States

Feb 9, 2016

I am laying awake tonight wondering what song to sing for my dear, sweet mother's burial later this week, and this song came to mind. Indeed, what joy and comfort we have in the precious name of Jesus! He is the Hope of us left behind here on earth, and the Joy of my mother in Heaven!

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Horrilia Trust

Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Dec 4, 2015

This hymn during morning devotion this morning gave me a renewed hope. The last half of last year and most months of this year have witnessed many deaths amongst family and friends of mine. But today I cease to cry like those without hope. I wish most worship centers will go back to hymns. They're simply divine and inspiring. God bless the memories of Lydia the composer for today words she wrote almost 160 years ago brought me hope and joy.

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Dorcas T. Adesanya

London, England, United Kingdom

Nov 22, 2015

Praise God!!! The name of Jesus thrills our souls with joy Amen. What a precious name Jesus is. The deaf hears the name of Jesus and start hearing, the dumb speaks, the blind see, the lame walk, the barren becomes fruitful, the sorrowful becomes joyful, the sinner becomes save, the saved soul becomes sanctified and the sanctified believers becomes filled with the Holy Ghost Power. Thank God for Jesus. Amen. Thanks for uploading this song and God bless you all. Shalom!!!

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Richard A. Joyce

Querétaro, Mexico

May 11, 2015

I awakened this morning singing this song, although I hadn't heard it for many years. The original stanza that says, "King of Kings and Lords we'll crown Him when our journey is complete" has been a choking point for me for a number of years. If I understand my Bible, when the Father said to Jesus, "Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies Your footstool," Jesus became King at that moment. He will not be king when He returns, He is NOW king. I love the revised version of those lines, "Claim His victory over evil/And the enemy defeat." It speaks of a triumphant Church applying Calvary's victory to earth's current distress. Awesome.

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