Reading Music 5 NOTE LENGTH Note Length Note Stem Positions Bar Lines Time Signature Tapping the Beats Quiz - Quiz Answers Exercises Lesson Material Music Reading Course Complete Music Notation Overview : Basic Theory 1 - Basic Theory 2
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RM 5.1 - Note Length

The length of time a note is played is measured in beats. The difference in length is shown by various types of note.

In most music the crotchet, also called 'quarter note', represents the length of one beat.
A crotchet has a stem, and a black note head.

In most music the minim, also called 'half note', represents the length of two beat.
A minim has a stem and a white note head.

In most music the semibreve, also called 'whole note', represents the length of four beats.
A semibreve is a white note head without a stem.

Therefore :

Audio 6.1

1 semibreve = 2 minims = 4 crotchets

1 whole note = 2 half notes = 4 quarter notes

Here are the note names used in some of the different languages.

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RM 5.2 - Note Stem Positions

The note stems are positioned in two ways.

1. For notes below the middle staff line stems are drawn from the right side of the note head, pointing upwards.
   

2. For notes above the middle staff line stems are drawn from the left side of the note head, pointing downwards.

   For the note on the middle staff line (B on the Treble Clef and D on the Bass Clef) the stem may be drawn in either of the above two ways, but usually it is drawn from the left side of the note head, pointing downwards.

RM 5.3 - Bar Lines

The rhythm of most music can be divided into regular groups of either two or three or four beats, with a slight emphasis (accent or pulse) on the first beat of each group.
To show this regular rhythmic pulse the staf is divided by bar lines into bars.

RM 5.4 - Time Signature

A time signature is placed at the beginning of each piece of music to show :

• how many beats there are in each bar,

• and the type of note that equals 1 beat.

The time signature resembles a fraction.
The upper number indicates the number of beats in each bar.
The lower number indicate the note length for each beat as a fraction of a semibreve (whole note).

The time signature in the following line shows that

• there are 4 beats in each bar, and that

• each beat equals ¹/₄ of a semibreve ('whole note'), which is a crotchet ('quarter note')

Audio 6.2

The time signature in the following line shows that

• there are 3 beats in each bar, and that

• each beat equals ¹/₄ of a semibreve ('whole note'), which is a crotchet ('quarter note')

Audio 6.3

The time signature in the following line shows that

• there are 2 beats in each bar, and that

• each beat equals ¹/₄ of a semibreve ('whole note'), which is a crotchet ('quarter note')

Audio 6.4

History
The first Time signatures, used between 1250 and 1600, were :

• a Circle indicating perfect time (i.e. triple time)

• a Half Circle indicating imperfect time (i.e. duple time)

The old 'imperfect' time signature remains with us today, now shaped as a C, as the alternative symbol for ⁴/₄ time, also called Common Time.

The related symbold of a C with a vertical stroke through it is used as an alternative Time signature for ²/₂ time, also called Cut Time.

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RM 5.5 - Tapping the Beats

A good way of keeping track of the beats in each bar (when you are playing from sheet music) is by tapping the beats with your foot.

Tap with one foot each beat in the bar. At the same time count each beat in your mind as you tap it : 1 - 2 - 3 - 4.

Audio 6.5

You may need to practise this habit for a while to get your tapping, counting and playing synchronised.

When the time signature for a piece is ⁴/₄ (4 beats in each bar) or ²/₄ (2 beats in each bar) there are an even number of beats in each bar.
In such case you can tap the beat using both feet.

Audio 6.6

I always do this myself and find it most useful.

• The left foot taps the odd numbered beats : 1 and 3

• while the right foot taps the even numbered beats : 2 and 4.

When the left foot goes down you always know that you are either at the beginning or exactly halfway in the bar. This makes reading music a lot easier, especially when the music is at a high tempo.

It needs some practice to get comfortable with this.
Practise this first without your instrument, by tapping each beat through the exercises below while clapping or calling out each note at its correct starting point.
You can do this exercise either with one foot, or using both feet.

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RM 5.6 - Quiz

1. What do the different note shapes represent ?
   
   
2. Which note shape has no stem at all ?
   
   
3. How many minims cover the same time as one semibreve ?
   
   
4. How many crotchets cover the same time span as a minim ?
   
   
5. What is the purpose of bar lines ?
   
   
6. What does a double bar line signify ?
   
   
7. What part of the time signature defines the number of beats in each bar ?
   
   
8. What part of the time signature defines the length of each beat in a bar ?
   
   
9. What does the Time Signature of ²/₂ specify ?
   
   
10. Do stems drawn from the right side of the note head point upwards or downwards ?
    
    
11. Do the stems drawn from the left side of the note head point upwards or downwards ?
    
    
12. What direction (up or down) do the stems point of the following crotchets.

    C in a space on the Treble Clef G on a line on the Treble Clef F on a line on the Treble Clef A in a space on the Treble Clef B on a line on the Treble Clef B on a line on the Bass Clef C in a space on the Bass Clef F on a line on the Bass Clef D on a line on the Bass Clef A in a space on the Bass Clef

RM 5.7 - Exercises

Exercise 5.1

Draw all bar lines at their correct positions in Exercise 5.1.

Tap the beat with your foot (or feet) while clapping (or calling out) each note in the exercises at their correct starting points.

Play the exercises on your instrument at your own pace, while tapping the beats with your foot (or feet) and counting them (1 2 3 4) in your mind.

Play the exercises on your instrument using a metronome, while tapping the beats with your foot (or feet) and counting them (1 2 3 4) in your mind.
ANSWERS to Exercise 5.1

Exercise 5.2

Draw all note stems correctly in Exercise 5.2.

Draw all bar lines at their correct positions in Exercise 5.2.

Tap the beat with your foot (or feet) while clapping (or calling out) each note in the exercises at their correct starting points.

Play the exercises on your instrument at your own pace, while tapping the beats with your foot (or feet) and counting them (1 2 3 4) in your mind.

Play the exercises on your instrument using a metronome, while tapping the beats with your foot (or feet) and counting them (1 2 3 4) in your mind.
ANSWERS to Exercise 5.2

Exercise 5.3

Draw all note stems correctly in Exercise 5.3.

Draw all bar lines at their correct positions in Exercise 5.3.

Tap the beat with your foot (or feet) while clapping (or calling out) each note in the exercises at their correct starting points.

Play the exercises on your instrument at your own pace, while tapping the beats with your foot (or feet) and counting them (1 2 3 4) in your mind.

Play the exercises on your instrument using a metronome, while tapping the beats with your foot (or feet) and counting them (1 2 3 4) in your mind.
ANSWERS to Exercise 5.3

RM 5.8 - Lesson Materials