Decoding Jianpu: A Beginner’s Guide to Reading Numeric Scores

When delving into the realm of Chinese musical instruments, encountering numeric scores or Jianpu might seem like deciphering a complex code. If you’re more accustomed to stave notations, adapting to numeric scores can indeed pose a challenge, as notes are represented solely by numbers, irrespective of the key.

Let’s demystify the basics of numeric scores and explore the nuances across different keys to ease your journey into understanding this unique musical notation system.

Understanding Scales:

In Jianpu, there exists a pivotal note known as the “movable Do.” This note adapts to different pitches according to various keys, such as D, F, or G. From this “Do,” notes like Re, Mi, and others are derived.

Numeric Scores in Different Keys:

• C Key: In the key of C Major, denoted as 1=C, the “movable Do” aligns with the pitch of C. Thus, the C Major scale comprises C, D, E, F, G, A, B, or 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 respectively.
  

• G Key: For G Major (1=G), the “movable Do” takes on the pitch of G. Hence, the G Major scale includes G, A, B, C, D, E, F#, or 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 respectively.
  

• D Key: In D Major (1=D), the “movable Do” aligns with the pitch of D. The D Major scale consists of D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#, or 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 respectively.
  

• F Key: Moving to F Major, denoted with 1=F, the scale involves F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E, or 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 respectively, with the use of flats (b) instead of sharps (#).
  

Note Values:

While Western notations use lines or tails for note values, Jianpu employs lines beneath the notes to denote their values, as depicted in the examples above.

Changing Octaves:

Unlike Western notations with key signatures indicating octave changes, Jianpu utilises dots.
To go an octave higher from the main octave, a dot will be added above the note. To go higher by yet another octave, another dot is added on top of the first one.

To go an octave lower from the main octave, a dot will be added below the note. Similarly, you can go another octave lower by adding another dot below the first one.

Here’s a video that explains it all!

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