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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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Count Your Blessings

Comfort in Trials By the Lord’s Blessings

English707
1
When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
 
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
2
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.
3
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold.
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your Lord on high.
4
So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

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Gasper Angelo

Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

May 26, 2013

I am very uplifted by this beatiful hymn, it reminds of the far God has taken me from, it reminds me of all the the good things that God has done for me ever since I came to this world now I am sure He will never leave nor forsake me.

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Dinci

Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

Mar 9, 2013

This song is really beautiful. It is a spirit lifter when you feel discouraged and all hope is lost. God has done a lot for us. We need to always remember what He has done rather than focusing on little challenges!!!

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Marjorie Ann

Shillong, Meghalaya, India

Feb 25, 2013

I love this song, as it reminds me of the greatness of ny Lord. Though I am weak, I know He is strong! He blesses me with gifts that I never thought of.

I realized my ungratefulness to my God. But this song keeps me humble and reminds me that I am my Father 's daughter! A princess!

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Edward

Statesboro, GA, United States

Feb 23, 2013

I was really encouraged by this beautiful hymn. If I sum up my whole life,

my life was full of bunch of complaints even after I was saved.

I kept complaining that I was born and am from Korea. I kept envying White Europeans or Americas, but the Lord answered me that He will use this Asian to be a part of Americans to show forth His glory. (I still gotta learn more about that, but my complaint about that decreased through the grace, love, and blessing of God.)

For my parents prepared to immigrate to the United States from 9 years ago, and we came here in June last year and got permanent residence 3 weeks after we came here.

I also complained that I am not good at anything, but the Lord gave me some talents at remembering dates, people, people's last name, what day a day is, finding a destination to help my dad who drives my family's car, a lot of interest in map, etc.

I am a nursing major, but recently, I am constantly and humbly praying to the Lord to guide me to go to another university to study about geography especially maps.

Lord, thank you for giving me a lot of blessings. Whenever I am depressed about my weakness or envy other people's appearance or talents, I will always count all my blessings that You have provided.

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Helen

Aliso Viejo, CA, United States

Feb 19, 2013

My grandmother used to sing this song to us (in Armenian) when we were children. The last time I had heard it was probably around ten. I hummed it to myself for many many years, until I heard it in English one day a year or so ago! It brought back a flood of soothing memories. No matter what our circumstances, we can always find blessings that God has bestowed on us, and be so thankful for them!!

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Elizabeth

Mckinney, TX, United States

Jan 31, 2013

I lost my job last year, and still unemployed, however, when I sing this song which is daily, I know that I have been blessed. I look back at all the blessings God has bestowed on me over the years and I'm so thankful and grateful to the Almighty. I know and believe that the right job will come my way. Thank You Lord for all the wonderful blessings. Amen.

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Chichi

Ikd, Lagos, Nigeria

Dec 30, 2012

Truly God gave me comfort through this song when I was going through a difficult time. I bless the name of God mightily. May you find solace in the arms of God in times of your difficulties. God bless you all.

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Afa

Kharkiv, Kharkov, Ukraine

Dec 8, 2012

Hmmmm, can't stop playing this song. I remember when my family and I, we were so faithful serving God, then we had nothing, but today we have been lifted. God has highly blessed us. We are now a blessing to people. This song reminds me of those days. As long as you remain faithful serving God He will never neglect you. THANK GOD!!!!

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Anne Green

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Nov 25, 2012

I'm so blessed to be part of a worldwide community of God's people who are counting the blessings of God over their lives even through adversity. I was reminded yesterday that His sufferings are not completed in that He still intercedes for us and shares our sorrows and carries our griefs - this too is a great blessing! Thank you for posting the song, thanks for the uplifting comments from everyone around the world and thank God for this beautiful reminder in song to count our blessings. I love you my brothers and sisters - we'll all meet one day with our glorious Saviour Yeshua! What joy and blessing that will be!

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Ken Humphries

Worcester, Worcestershire, United Kingdom

Aug 19, 2012

This morning, I received an email from a friend in which he spoke with loving appreciation of his wife. It reminded me that I too have good cause to appreciate the blessings my wife brings, and to "count my blessings". Those few words stirred up memories of singing them in Sunday School some 60 years ago. I could remember the first verse, and the chorus, only fragments of the remainder. How wonderful to be able to find all the words on the internet, and to be reminded of their truth and encouragement. Thank You.

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