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Exercises / Rhythm reading / Lesson 1

Notes and rests

Read basic note and rest symbols. Start here if rhythmic notation is new.

Learn the rule

CONCEPT 1

One quarter note = one beat

In this course the beat is a quarter note. Whole, half, quarter and eighth notes last 4, 2, 1 and ½ beats.

CONCEPT 2

Silence has a length

Rests keep the pulse moving. A half rest means two counted beats of silence, not a pause in the clock.

Practice what you learned

EXERCISE 1 · 4 QUESTIONS

Read note values

Recognize whole, half, quarter and eighth notes.

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EXERCISE 2 · 4 QUESTIONS

Read rest values

Recognize silence as counted beats, not empty space.

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After this lesson: Dots and extensions →

TRY IT BEFORE THE QUIZ

Change a symbol. Count the beats.

In this course, a quarter note is one beat. A dot adds half the original value, while a rest means silence for the same length of time.

1 beat of sound

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