Most piano sheet music has a consistent structure in terms of notes, staffs, and key signatures. These symbols are developed over several centuries by both composers and publishers.
The earliest written music dated about 2000 BC in Syria. Musical notation similar to today's symbols was evident in the early 11th century, which constituted of marking relative pitch direction connected with lyrics. Next a staff of four lines with a key indicator and quadrilateral or circular notes, helped singers determine the level of pitch.
Scores for instruments, rather than for vocalists, became the norm by the 17th century. Besides including a fifth line for staff, clefts, tempo, dynamic markers, and ties and slugs were added. The eariest piano sheet music was published in the 18th century, just a few decades after the piano was invented.
Composers traditionally wrote their pieces by hand, and the music was often copied by hand as well because it was challenging for printers to align the notes with the staff and other marks. As a beginning form of sheet music in the 15th century, blank staff pages were printed to support notations. Metal plates were used to print multiple copies of scores.
Now computer notable software facilitates digital sheet music., which is available in print and online. Furthermore, score written computer programs facilitate composing, and can be played back as feedback to facilitate refinements for both creators and performers.
