In attractive hymn and jazz, bop notation almost always indicates only the inherent framework of the melody, harmony, or performance approach; musicians and singers are expected to know the performance conventions and styles associated with specific genres and pieces. For example, the "lead sheet" for a jazz tune may only indicate the melody and the chord changes. The performers in the jazz ensemble are expected to know how to "flesh out" this Personalized Music basic structure by adding ornaments, improvised music, and chordal accompaniment.

What is important in understanding the composition of a piece is singling out its elements. An understanding of music's formal essential elements can be bettering in deciphering exactly how a piece is constructed. A universal element of music is how sounds occur in time, which is referred to as the downbeat of a piece of music.