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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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I need Thee every hour

Longings For Fellowship with Christ

English371
1
I need Thee every hour,
Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford.
 
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior!
I come to Thee.
2
I need Thee every hour,
Stay Thou near by;
Temptations lose their power
When Thou art nigh.
3
I need Thee every hour,
In joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide,
Or life is vain.
4
I need Thee every hour,
Teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises
In me fulfill.
5
I need Thee every hour,
Most Holy One;
Oh, make me Thine indeed,
Thou blessed Son.

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Justin Nyior

Abuja, FCT, Nigeria

Oct 9, 2026

I had a horrifying encounter yesterday from 11pm to 5am this morning that made me to conclude that I need thee, oh, I need thee every hour of my feaible life. I now know that my life completely depends on the LORD! So help me LORD to always turn to you even before the worries of this world choke me up. I need thee, oh LORD, I need thee!

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Elue

London, United Kingdom

Oct 7, 2026

This song rested heavily on my heart this morning. I lost my lovely brother in August 2026, at the young age of 47. He was — and still is — my best friend. Mornings are especially difficult as I try to accept this loss. Every day, I turn to Jesus to help me bear the pain. I’m hoping to find joy again, even though life has changed forever for me and for our family. That’s why this song speaks so deeply to me: I need Thee every hour. I need You, Lord — every second, every hour, every moment — just to get through this season and through life. The song says, I need Thee every hour in joy or pain. Hear my cry, O Lord. This is a lot to carry. I give it all to You. Amen

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Julie

White Hall, MD, United States

Oct 5, 2026

Praise God that He comes to our rescue any time we are in need, with just a simple cry out to Him !

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Becky Onome

Warri, Delta, Nigeria

Sep 22, 2026

Lord Jesus, let every lines of this hymn be fulfilled in my life cos I need you every moment of my life, I can't afford to die, challenges are swallowing me but the song said, you will teach me thy will and your riches be fulfilled in my life.

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Mayra Rivera

Philadelphia, PA, United States

Aug 24, 2026

So thankful God put this hymn in my heart right now! I never want to forget where He’s brought me from and that I need him every hour, every minute and every second. I can’t imagine my life without Him! God is good! It’s not to say that my life is perfect because it’s not we all have problems but it’s a lot better walking with the Lord telling Him about it. Asking for wisdom, guidance and direction through it and He always gets me through! Amen! 🙏🏽❤️

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Ll Bell

Kingston, Jamaica

Aug 19, 2026

Can I live without thee ? I need you now more than ever, am nothing without you great God Almighty

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Lady Charles

Abuja, FCT, Nigeria

Jul 24, 2026

I am to take a decision this period that will shape my future. My mind went to this hymn. I need thee! Seriously I need God now than before

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Una Hermana

Nashville, TN, United States

May 2, 2026

Thank you most gracious Lord for Un Hermano's comments. "The ascended Christ is also ministering to our inward need." This song was welling up inside me and his comments were comforting reminders (after an anxious week) to trust in Jesus and relax/enter His rest since of course he is able to supply my every need. PLUS I just read Hebrews 4 ydy so God knew I needed a reminder. This is the first time I realized this site had a comment section!

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Un Hermano

Mar 2, 2026

C. Christ as Our High Priest

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The ascended Christ is also ministering to our inward need. In Old Testament times the high priest ministered to God on behalf of His people. Hebrews tells us that Christ is our great High Priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses (4:14-15). Because Christ became a man, He thoroughly knows our weak points and problems. But He is also God, constituted according to the power of an indestructible life (Heb. 7:16). Therefore He is able to take care of us in any situation (Heb. 7:25).

Surely every hour we need Him. From hour to hour we do not know what situations will confront us. Sometimes troubles come to us and we get anxious. Before we were saved, these worries were endless. But now, when anxious thoughts arise, we soon sense a soothing comfort, saying to us, “Why don’t you pray? You don’t need to worry. ” Christ has begun to intercede for us, and this is the effect it produces. Then we respond to Him, “Thank You, Lord. You bear my worries. All my cares are in Your hand. ” Just a few short words and the anxiety is lifted! We can enjoy Him. This is Christ’s priestly intercession for us. It is unending. We should have many experiences of being reminded, comforted, strengthened, and even carried by our great High Priest.

A Lesson Book, Level 2: The Triune God—the Triune God and the Person and Work of Christ

Chapter 21 Christ’s Ascension (LSM)

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Ib Halliday

Baltimore, MD, United States

Feb 8, 2026

Nice song. Still blesses me and tears through my heart each time the Holy Spirit brings it up to me in place of prayer to worship Him. I words comes alive each time. I pray He make me His indeed to stay in Holy communion with Him. My outmost heart cry.

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