Note Values and Rests

What Are Note Values?#

When musicians play music, they do not just play notes — they play notes for specific amounts of time. Some notes are held for a long time. Some notes are short and quick. The length of time a note is held is called its note value.

Think of note values like different-sized cups of time. A big cup holds more time — the note is held longer. A small cup holds less time — the note is short and quick.

Why Do Note Values Matter?#

Note values are what create rhythm in music! Rhythm is the pattern of long and short sounds over time. Without rhythm, music would just be a jumble of sounds with no organization. Rhythm is what makes you want to tap your foot, clap your hands, and dance!

Imagine clapping a heartbeat: CLAP...CLAP...CLAP...CLAP... That steady beat, with equal pauses between each clap, is rhythm!

The Pulse: The Steady Beat#

Before we learn about specific note values, let's talk about the pulse or beat. The pulse is the steady, underlying heartbeat of music. It is always there, like the ticking of a clock.

When you hear a song and start clapping along to it, you are clapping to the beat. Even when no one is playing a note, the beat continues in your mind.

All note values are measured relative to the beat. Knowing the beat helps you understand how long each note lasts.

Counting Along#

In music, we count to keep track of the beat. In many songs, we count to four: 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4. Each number is one beat.

Try it now: tap your hand on your knee and count along: 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4. Make sure each tap is even and steady. That is the beat!

Now that you understand what note values are and why they matter, let's learn about three of the most important ones: the whole note, the half note, and the quarter note.