Free Online Piano Lessons - 3Free online piano lessonsThis is part three of our free online piano lessons. In part three we take a look at quarter notes, half notes, whole notes, rhythm, bar lines and measures. Every note in music has a particular length. Some are long and some are short. We measure the length of these notes by counting. What is a quarter note? A quarter note (American) or crotchet (British) is a very short note. It is half the length of a half note. It is played for one quarter of the duration of a whole note (or semibreve). Quarter notes are notated with a filled-in oval note head and a straight, flagless stem. The stem usually points upwards if it is below the middle line of the stave or downwards if it is on or above the middle line. Don't worry if you don't understand many of these terms now. For now, remember that every time you come across a quarter note, count one beat. It takes two quarter notes to make a half note. The following indicates a quarter note symbol.
Again, if you're just starting out you may not understand many of these terms. Don't worry they will be clearer as we go along. Just remember that a half note has twice the duration of a quarter note and that you should count two beats every time you come across a half note. Hold the note down and count two beats in your head. The following indicates a half note symbol.
The following indicates a whole note symbol.
Bar lines and measures
Here's a video that makes all of this clearer. Learn about quarter notes, half notes, whole notes, rhythm, bar lines and measures. Click here for my favorite course on How to Play Piano. If you want to learn piano the easy way, and not have to endure technical, traditional, boring stuff, I recommend this to you. Online Piano Lessons - Page Two. Free Online Lessons (Piano) - Page Three. Beginner Piano Lessons - Page Four. New! CommentsHave your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. |
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