1.4 | STANDARD NOTATION

Notes and rests are symbols used to show rhythms. The fraction names of these symbols (eighth, sixteenth, etc) tell how many of that note can fit into one measure of 4/4. An eighth note takes up one-eighth of a measure in 4/4 time.

• Watch the walkthrough video.

• Learn the information below.

• Complete the Notation Beat Map Worksheet.

There are Notation Reference Guides available at the bottom of the page. Click the image to open in a new window.

Notes represent sound. Each note has an attack, sustain, and release. Every note has a notehead (the oval) and a stem (the vertical line). The duration of a note is determined by its appearance.

Flags are used for notes that last less than a beat that cannot be grouped together.
Beams are drawn across notes to show beat groupings. The number of flags/beams that a note has shows its subdivision level. Odd subdivision groupings have a number above the beam.

Ties combine note values. The attack happens on the first note, while the following tied note(s) add duration.
Dots are added after a note or rest to add half of its original value to itself.

Rests represent measured silence. Rests that last longer than a beat have their own unique symbols. Rests that last less than a beat use the same system of flags as notes.

The four states of rhythm (attack, sustain, release, and rest) are easy to visualize in a beat map. Using it as a tool for translating notation symbols makes rhythm reading more straightforward.

Watch the video to see how it’s done and complete the worksheet.

Notation Beat Map Worksheet→

The learn-along scores have explanations, reading examples, and composition sections for quarter note, eighth note, sixteenth note, and eighth note triplet rhythms. A backing track with instructions is embedded in each score.

• Press play in the Noteflight window to hear the instructions and backing track.

• To replay a section, simply press stop, highlight the measure you wish to hear again, and press play.

• To make the most out of these scores, master the information in each section before moving on.

Feeling what attacks on different weak beats (parts of the beat that aren't the down beat) is a great way to improve your ability to read and play rhythm accurately. The Weak Beat Workout videos isolate specific weak beats in eighth note and sixteenth note subdivision so you can work on getting them into muscle memory.

Eighth Note Weak Beat Workout →
Sixteenth Note Weak Beat Workout →

Test your ability to perform rhythms with an even subdivision at a steady beat. A tempo has been given for each example. When working on a new rhythm follow these steps:

• Understand the states of rhythm by writing in the counts and parentheses if necessary.

• Count and clap the rhythm without a steady beat first, then count and clap the rhythm with a steady beat at a slow tempo. Make sure your brain is in front of your hands.

• Using a metronome, slowly speed up until you have achieved the target tempo. Repeat the rhythm at the target tempo until you have gained muscle memory.