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Rhythm
LESSONS: 1 NOTE RHYTHMS 2 RESTS 3 TIME SIGNATURE
Rhythm refers to the placement of sounds in time. To determine the rhythm of a note, there are several notes that last for different durations which tells us how long to hold the note for.
Note
Name
CROTCHET
MINIM
DOTTED MINIM
SEMI-BRIEVE
Other Names
Quarter note
Half note
Whole Note
Note length
1 beat
2 beats
3 beats
4 beats
QUAVER
Eighth
Note
1/2 beat
DOTTED
CROTCHET
1+1/2 beat
The circular part of the note is called the note-head, and the line part is called the stem. The stem can go in either direction (up or down) depending on where the note is placed on the stave. If it goes down, it will be on the left-hand side. If it goes up, it will be placed to the right-hand side of the note-head. So how do you know if it goes up or down?
The note on The B line can go either up or down. Anything below it, the stem goes upwards. Anything above the B line, the stem goes downwards!
RESTS
Rests are used for moments of silence in music and each have different values, just like the notes do.
1 beat
2 beats
4 beats
1/2 beat
1/4 beats
TIME SIGNATURE
There are various time signatures, and the most common is called 4/4 ("four four") timing. This means that there are 4 beats in a bar. A bar is represented by a line that separates the notes according to the time signature. Any kind of note (crotchet, minim, semibreve, quavers, etc. or rests) can be used to make up the four beats of the bar.
Example 1
Bar lines
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
The bottom numbers (1, 2, 3, 4) represent the beat in each bar. Because the 4/4 symbol is written on the stave, we can only have 4 beats per bar. This is why after the fourth beat, we use a bar line to separate the beats. The above example used simple crotchets, the following example will use a mix of other notes to show other examples of 4/4 timing.
Bar lines
1
2
3 and 4
1, 2, 3, 4
Example 2
The minim (last note in the first bar) is worth two beats which makes up the total 4 in the bar. In the second bar, there is only one note which is a semibreve. A semibreve is worth 4 beats. If we can only have 4 beats in a bar, then this note is held for all four of the beats.
Example 3
Bar lines
Notice the pair of quavers? They are called beamed quavers and together are worth 1 beat (because 1/2 + 1/2 = 1)!
Let's look at an example of a 3/4 time signature.
The quavers (worth 1 beat), crotchet rest (1 beat) and crotchet (1 beat) make 3 beats in the first bar. The dotted minim in the second bar is worth 3 beats.
Practice rhythm and time signatures! The Quizzes page has lots of questions on rhythm where you can increase your learning. To access this page, you'll need to sign up as a site member but don't worry - it's totally free! Visit the Quizzes and keep up your practice!
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