Time
Divide the beat without moving it
Long and short notes are fractions of the same span of time.
Take the guided lessonReference
One bar, different ways to fill it
| Figure | Duration in 4/4 | Fit in one bar |
|---|---|---|
| Whole note | 4 beats | 1 |
| Half note | 2 beats | 2 |
| Quarter note | 1 beat | 4 |
| Eighth note | Half a beat | 8 |
| Sixteenth note | A quarter of a beat | 16 |
These beat counts assume a quarter-note pulse. The fraction names compare each figure with a whole note.
The shape carries the duration
The hollow or filled head, stem, and flags identify the value. These symbols do not tell you which guitar string to use.
Listen to duration, not only attacks
The line shows how long a note continues. A held sound does not need another attack on every click.
Two half notes4/4 · Quarter-note pulse
1●Attack
&—Hold
2—Hold
&—Hold
3●Attack
&—Hold
4—Hold
&—Hold
Four quarter notes4/4 · Quarter-note pulse
1●Attack
&—Hold
2●Attack
&—Hold
3●Attack
&—Hold
4●Attack
&—Hold
● attack · — hold · · silence. The quiet high click is the pulse.
Put these in order
Arrange these from longest to shortest
- 1empty
- 2empty
- 3empty
- 4empty
- 5empty
Check yourself
A half note plus two quarter notes fills how much of 4/4?
What to keep
Takeaways
- A figure tells duration; an attack begins that duration.
- Ratios stay the same when tempo changes.