Note Values
Each note value is half the length of the one above it. Every note has a matching rest of the same duration.
| British Name | American Name | Beats in 4/4 |
|---|---|---|
| Semibreve | Whole note | 4 |
| Minim | Half note | 2 |
| Crotchet | Quarter note | 1 |
| Quaver | Eighth note | ½ |
| Semiquaver | Sixteenth note | ¼ |
Dots and Ties
A dot after a note adds half its value: a dotted crotchet = 1½ beats. A tie joins two notes of the same pitch — the second is not replayed, the durations add together. Ties are used to hold notes across a barline.
Time Signatures
The time signature appears at the start of a piece. The top number = beats per bar. The bottom number = which note value gets one beat.
| Signature | Beats per bar | Feel |
|---|---|---|
| 4/4 | 4 crotchet beats | Common time — most pop, rock, classical |
| 3/4 | 3 crotchet beats | Waltz — one strong beat, two weak |
| 2/4 | 2 crotchet beats | March — strong-weak pattern |
| 6/8 | 6 quaver beats (felt in 2) | Lilting compound feel — jigs |
Simple and Compound Time
In simple time (4/4, 3/4, 2/4) each beat divides into two equal parts. In compound time (6/8, 9/8, 12/8) each beat divides into three equal parts, giving a lilting, swung feel.
Triplets
A triplet squeezes three notes into the space of two. It's marked with a bracket and the number 3. Triplets are common in jazz, blues, and ballads — they give rhythm a looser, more flowing feel.