Rhythm and note durations

Music happens in time

So far we have talked about the pitch of tones. But equally important is when and how long a tone sounds. That is rhythm - the pulse of music that makes you tap your foot.

The beat and the time signature

The basic unit of time is the beat - a steady pulse. Beats are grouped into bars (measures). The most common time signature is 4/4: four beats per bar, count '1 - 2 - 3 - 4'.

Note durations

Different notes last for different lengths. In 4/4 time:

• Whole note - lasts 4 beats (a full bar).
• Half note - 2 beats.
• Quarter note - 1 beat (this is usually the pulse you count).
• Eighth note - half a beat; two eighths fit in one beat ('1-and 2-and').

The dot lengthens a note

A dot after a note increases its length by half. A half note lasts 2 beats; a dotted half note lasts 3 beats (2 + 1).

With rhythm and pitch you have both ingredients of melody. The next step is learning to read these ingredients off the page - enter the treble and bass clef.