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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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He giveth more grace

Comfort in Trials By Grace for Suffering

New Tunes723
1
He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase,
To added affliction He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.
 
His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men,
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth and giveth and giveth again.
2
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half-done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

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Jack Petrash

Irving, TX, United States

Mar 2, 2026

This hymn has been a rich supply of grace, strength, and encouragement countless times since I first learned it in 1991. Our family had just moved and was going through a rough time. One day a dear couple dropped by and we sang this hymn. Remembering the much needed visit and this hymn still makes my tears well up.

Sister Annie Flint must have had multiple deep experiences of Christ to pen this hymn and hymn 720 as well. What a gift to the Body.

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Angelina

Hope Mills, NC, United States

Oct 30, 2025

I was feeling so overwhelmed taking on stuff about my family . I just finished praying surrendering everything to God and the chorus of this song his love has no limit.... the last time I recalled hearing or singing this song was in my childhood

Our God is indeed awesome he's a comforting God

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Paul Gilchrist

Spokane, WA, United States

Apr 3, 2025

A while back, I was out for a run. I was ¾ of the way through when I just didn’t want to go anymore. I usually just power through moments like these, but for some reason, I didn’t have the motivation on this particular day.

There happened to be a track meet in town, and I just happened to be near the hosting facility at my point of despair. All of a sudden, the streets were filled with runners--They had been released just a few moments before. Seeing all of these runners at that exact moment greatly encouraged me. I suddenly had the energy and the drive to finish my run.

I felt like this was God’s grace to me. At the exact moment when I just could not go on, I was surrounded by people who were doing the same thing as me. I have to acknowledge God’s sovereign arrangement on this occasion.

God’s grace is always there for us. It comes at unexpected moments--The only thing we have to do is recognize it. May we all enjoy God’s grace for the rest of our days.

Just when you think
That you’ve had enough
You’re tired--You’re sore
And the going is rough
To be quite honest
I thought I would die
…arrangement seems awful
And that is no lie!
But just when I thought
That I’d much rather quit
I see runners!!! They’re running!
And that is legit!
Now, when I think
That I’ve had it--I’m through
The Grace comes a rollin’
God’s promise to you
Just when you think
That you’re finished--You’re done
The mercy is strengthened
God’s grace in the son.
Like Jevohah told Moses
This is real and not odd
I am Grace--The Sufficient
All sufficient--my God!
I can’t live my life
Always being alone
I need all the members
That’s proven--It’s shone!
And oh--By the Way
Those runners I mentioned--Those runners were true
But realistically speaking
Those runners are you!

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Jim Smith

Mansfield, Ohio, United States

Sep 12, 2024

His love knows no limit. His grace knows no end and is not given by measure.

John 3:34 “He gives His Spirit not by measure. ” He giveth and giveth and giveth again. We should never look at someone and say they can’t be saved or used by God. When we judge others in this way, we are denying the grace of God which is supplied by the Spirit.

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Jeffrey

California, United States

May 9, 2024

To added affliction He addeth His mercy,

To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

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Anonymous

Aug 1, 2023

Brenda Blackwell, I read your comment from 2021. Immediately began praying for you both. What has happened since 2021?

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Sue Balentine

Valparaiso, IN, United States

Aug 1, 2023

I have been reading Jerry Bridges book The Joy of Fearing God. As I was reading the last chapter he mentions a line that reminded me of this song. I had no idea there were other stanzas. It so beautiful and perfect. Ill be going over it many times as I go through my days. Thanks forhelping me find it. I will be worshipping and enjoy our great God.

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Michael Kowalski

Fort Myers, Florida, United States

Jul 6, 2023

Enjoy this hymn/song along with hymn 497!! Much grace dear saints!

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Olalekan Joshua

Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria

May 7, 2023

His Grace is sufficient for me in every trials and temptations, just as he saved me by his infinite Mercy and grace when my soul was wandering in sins. He brought me out with his love and cleanse me by his precious blood ❤️. His Grace is sufficient for us and he giveth more even in our weakness

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Christi Lo

Auckland, New Zealand

Apr 25, 2023

Jeremiah 31. 3b "... indeed I have loved you with an eternal love; therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness "

Thank You Lord for Your lovingkindness. We are not worthy, but Your love and grace are unlimited. We love You, dear Lord Jesus.

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