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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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Fight the good fight with all thy might

Spiritual Warfare Fighting On

English872
1
Fight the good fight with all thy might!
Christ is thy strength, and Christ thy right;
Lay hold on life, and it shall be
Thy joy and crown eternally.
2
Run the straight race through God’s good grace,
Lift up thine eyes, and seek His face;
Life with its way before us lies,
Christ is the path, and Christ the prize.
3
Cast care aside, lean on thy Guide;
His boundless mercy will provide;
Trust, and thy trusting soul shall prove
Christ is its life, and Christ its love.
4
Faint not nor fear, His arms are near,
He changeth not, and thou art dear;
Only believe, and thou shalt see
That Christ is all in all to thee.

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Myrt

Salo Finland, Southwest Finland, Finland

Aug 17, 2026

What a treasure this hymn is - to be reminded that when we fix our eyes on Christ, the Author and perfecter of our faith, that when we run the race with persevering love, we will one day live with Him in our permanent Home.

“Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to know Him. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth. ” (Hosea 6:3)

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Maria L

Fremont, California, United States

Dec 2, 2025

Direct our heart, Lord, into the love of God and into the endurance of Christ. May our heart be directed into the endurance of Christ so that we may enjoy and experience this endurance in our daily life 🙏.

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Anonymous

Nov 12, 2025

I was singing this in my dream

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Ruth Attipoe

Accra, Ghana

Sep 24, 2025

I'm so moved by this hymn! It's a powerful reminder that God is always with me, guiding me through life's ups and downs. The lyrics speak directly to my heart, filling me with hope and assurance. I'm blessed to know that God hears my prayers and is always working for my good. This hymn is a beautiful expression of faith and trust in God.

It's truly a blessing! It touched my soul and spirit, reminding me of God's unwavering love and care. I'm grateful for the encouragement to look up to Him, even in challenging times. The promise that God will answer my prayers and wipe away my tears brings me such comfort and peace. Thank You, Lord, for Your faithfulness!

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Elizabeth Blay

Birmingham, Walsall, United Kingdom

Apr 18, 2025

Whenever am getting week in spirit Gods unfailing love drops within me to strengthen me and today as we celebrate Easter in remembrance of his death on the cross of Calvary, let know He is still the same today and forevermore. I needed the words and I got it here God bless you for sharing.

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Oliver Ozinyegbum Boms

REBISI, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Nov 19, 2024

The first stanza "Fight the good fight..." always motivates and encourages me.

Whenever I read the books of Timothy, the song strikes a reminder to sing this song but most especially when I am challenged or given a thought to a challenge, this song encourages me.

Praise God.

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Jack Petrash

Irving, TX, United States

Aug 25, 2024

A short but poignant hymn capturing many verses from 1 and 2 Timothy.

2 Tim. 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have kept the faith...

1 Tim. 6:11-12: But you, O man of God, flee these things, and pursue righteousness, Godliness, faith, love, endurance, meekness. Fight the good fight of the faith; lay hold on the eternal life, to which you were called and have confessed the good confession before many witnesses.

2 Tim. 2:12: if we endure, we will also reign with Him.

2 Timothy 4:7-8: I have fought the good fight, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, with which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will recompense me in that day, and not only me but also all those who have loved His appearing.

Oh Lord! We give ourselves to you to follow Paul's exhortations to hasten your return!

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Caroline Cochrane

Alton, Hampshire, United Kingdom

Feb 10, 2024

This just popped into my head after my arthritic pain made me resolve to 'fight the good fight' until He comes for us. Haven't sung it since I was a kid, but the words came back to me pretty well. Like Catherine Mary, I was so comforted by the line 'Faint not, nor fear.. ' It was like My Jesus was giving me a spiritual hug right there! We are so blessed to have these wonderful old hymns still in circulation. They speak to us and encourage us, as with every generation.

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Chinedu Chukwujekwu

Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Sep 8, 2023

This is one of my favourite hymn; it motivates me and strengthens me. This inspirational hymns also reminds us that we would be faced with trails, temptations and challenges but that we should trust in God with all our heart and lean not on our understanding nor strength. By doing so, we shall surely triumph.

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Catherine Mary

London, United Kingdom

Aug 19, 2023

I have MS and have a particularly bad couple of days

But this night l had it's 1. 30 AM l was awoken with the last verse running around my my head..

Faint not nor fear, His arms are near,
He changeth not, and thou art dear; ..
Thank you internet for reminding me of the rest

And thank you Lord for loving me and sending me this just when l needed You! AMEN!

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