The way each note is drawn on the staff will tell you two things – its pitch (what it sounds like) and its duration (how short or long it is).
- A “semibreve” is also called a “whole note”. In 4/4 time that it lasts four beats. To play a semibreve, you would play a long slow bow and count to 4.
- A “minum” lasts for two beats. To play a minum, play a slow bow and count to two. You can fit two minums in a bar in 4/4 time.
- Crotchets last for 1 beat. You can fit four crotchets in a bar in 4/4 time.
- Quavers look like crotchets with a pigtail (if it’s alone) or a single beam (line) joining them together if there are two or more. Quavers are short notes – you can fit eight quavers in a bar in 4/4 time.
- Semiquavers look like quavers with a double pigtail or a double beam. These are usually played quite fast. You can fit 16 semiquavers in a bar!
For each note there is a corresponding rest. A semibreve rest lasts for 4 beats of silence. A minim lasts for two beats of silence and so on.
This is what they all look like:
We can use these patterns in all kinds of combinations. Here are some examples:
Practice tip: Get your mum or dad to clap or stomp a steady 4/4 beat.
While they do that, you clap these rhythms and say the words. Try to keep it in time with the beat.