# Notes and rhythm

A note begins with its duration and pitch. The following notes can reuse a
duration, while each voice keeps its own musical line. Start with that simple
reading, then add the detail the phrase needs.

## Choose a subchapter

- [Notes and pitch](pitch.md) — choose pitches, read octave movement, spell
  accidentals, and write chords or solfège.
- [Rhythm and silence](rhythm.md) — enter durations, repeated notes, rests,
  dots, tuplets, pickups, and grace notes.
- [Beaming](beaming.md) — let the meter group notes, describe subdivisions
  with a pattern, or connect chosen notes. Addressed maps are advanced controls.

## Read one musical phrase

```scorescript-input
meter 4/4
4C5 D 8E F G A | 2G 4r C
```

`4C5` opens with a quarter-note C in octave 5. D keeps that duration. `8E`
changes the duration to an eighth for E, F, G, and A. The barline separates
measures. `2G` is a half note, `4r` a quarter rest, and C keeps the quarter
duration. Nothing extra is needed to request ordinary beams.

## Put the phrase in a score

For a complete file, start with [File syntax](first-score.md). To place
independent hands or players on their own staves, continue with
[Parts, voices, and measures](structure.md). Articulations and expression have
their own chapter, [Articulations, dynamics, and text](marks.md).