Pronunciation: [ɹˈɪtən mjˈuːzɪk] (IPA) 
Written music can also be spelled as "sheet music" or "notated music" and is used to denote music that has been written down on paper. The word "written" is pronounced as "rɪtn" in IPA phonetic transcription, with the stress on the first syllable "rit". The pronunciation of the word "music" is "ˈmjuːzɪk", with the stress on the second syllable "su". Together, the pronunciation of "written music" is "ˈrɪtn ˈmjuːzɪk".
Written music refers to any form of musical composition or arrangement that has been notated or written down using a system of specific symbols, signs, and lines. It is a form of documentation that allows musicians to accurately and precisely perform a piece of music. Written music encompasses a wide range of music genres, from classical compositions to contemporary pieces.
The main purpose of written music is to capture a composer's musical ideas and convey them in a language that musicians can read and interpret. It serves as a means of communication between the composer and the performer, allowing the composer's intentions to be accurately realized. Musical notation includes symbols for pitch, rhythm, tempo, dynamics, articulation, and various other musical elements, providing a detailed blueprint for the performance of a piece.
Written music has played a significant role in the preservation and dissemination of musical works throughout history. It enables future generations to study and perform music from different eras, ensuring that compositions maintain their integrity and artistic expression over time. Moreover, written music allows for the reproduction of complex musical arrangements, making it possible to reproduce orchestral compositions with just a single performer or a small ensemble.
Overall, written music serves as a vital tool in the music industry, providing a standardized method of preserving, communicating, and interpreting musical ideas, thereby enriching and expanding the musical repertoire.
The term "written music" consists of two main components: "written" and "music".
The word "written" is derived from the Old English verb "writan", meaning "to scratch, to carve, to write". It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "writaną". Over time, "written" came to mean recording or inscribing information by using a writing system.
The term "music" originates from the Greek word "mousikē", which referred to the art of the Muses. It encompassed various elements like song, dance, and poetry. "Mousikē" was further derived from "mousa", meaning "muse" or "inspiration", which came from the Proto-Indo-European root "men-", meaning "to think" or "to remember".
