<P> Catholic monks developed the first forms of modern Western musical notation in order to standardize liturgy throughout the worldwide Church , and an enormous body of religious music has been composed for it through the ages . This led directly to the emergence and development of European classical music , and its many derivatives . The Baroque style , which encompassed music , art , and architecture , was particularly encouraged by the post-Reformation Catholic Church as such forms offered a means of religious expression that was stirring and emotional , intended to stimulate religious fervor . Modern music notation is now used by musicians of many different genres throughout the world . The staff acts as a framework upon which pitches are indicated by placing round notes on the staff lines or between the lines . The pitch of the round musical notes can be modified by accidentals . The duration ( note length ) is shown with different note values , which can be indicated by the note being just a circle ( a whole note ) or using stems to indicate quarter notes and other subdivisions , and additional symbols such as dots and ties which lengthen the duration of a note . Notation is read from left to right , which makes setting music for right - to - left scripts difficult . </P>
<P> Catholic monks developed the first forms of modern Western musical notation in order to standardize liturgy throughout the worldwide Church , and an enormous body of religious music has been composed for it through the ages . This led directly to the emergence and development of European classical music , and its many derivatives . The Baroque style , which encompassed music , art , and architecture , was particularly encouraged by the post-Reformation Catholic Church as such forms offered a means of religious expression that was stirring and emotional , intended to stimulate religious fervor . Modern music notation is now used by musicians of many different genres throughout the world . The staff acts as a framework upon which pitches are indicated by placing round notes on the staff lines or between the lines . The pitch of the round musical notes can be modified by accidentals . The duration ( note length ) is shown with different note values , which can be indicated by the note being just a circle ( a whole note ) or using stems to indicate quarter notes and other subdivisions , and additional symbols such as dots and ties which lengthen the duration of a note . Notation is read from left to right , which makes setting music for right - to - left scripts difficult . </P>
in writing music pitches are notated vertically on the lines or between the lines of a
in writing music pitches are notated vertically on the lines or between the lines of a
staff
staff