note length
Music notation shows the duration/length of sounds using symbols called notes. Some notes have white centered NOTEHEADS while some noteheads are solid black. Some noteheads have STEMS or additionally, FLAGS.
When two or more notes with flags are written next to each other, they are often connected by BEAMS.
The various combination of noteheads, stems, and flags create a series of symbols (e.g. notes) that are related to each other in duration.
Below is chart showing the relationship between the most common music notes.
When two or more notes with flags are written next to each other, they are often connected by BEAMS.
The various combination of noteheads, stems, and flags create a series of symbols (e.g. notes) that are related to each other in duration.
Below is chart showing the relationship between the most common music notes.
In the image above, the symbol at the top of the pyramid (a notehead with a white center) can be split into two equal parts which are shown in the second row (a notehead with a white center and a stem). Each of those two symbols can be broken into two equal parts (in the new row, solid black notehead with stem) and so on.
Each of these symbols has a name.
Each of these symbols has a name.
In addition, there are symbols that are used to represent silence. These symbols are called RESTS.
Each note or rest lasts for a specific number of beats. Below is a chart showing the length, in number of beats (in 4/4 time - more on this later), of the most common notes and rests.
Tempo
Notes and rests work together with the TEMPO to determine the exact length of time of the note or rest.
Both are determined by the BEAT - the steady pulse of music. When you tap your foot while listening to music, you are (hopefully!) tapping it to the beat of the music. You can also think of the BEAT as the heart of the music (heartbeat=steady pulse).
TEMPO is a measurement of how fast or slow the beat of the music is. It is measured in BPM, or beats per minute. For example a tempo of 60 BPM means there will be sixty (60) equal beats in one minute of time, or one beat per every second. A tempo of 120 BPM will have 120 beats per minute, or two beats per every second. Tempos are usually written from a range of 40-180 BPM.
The tempo is usually written at the beginning of the music. Sometimes, the tempo changes throughout the music.
When there is a tempo change, the new tempo is written above the measure where the tempo change occurs.
Both are determined by the BEAT - the steady pulse of music. When you tap your foot while listening to music, you are (hopefully!) tapping it to the beat of the music. You can also think of the BEAT as the heart of the music (heartbeat=steady pulse).
TEMPO is a measurement of how fast or slow the beat of the music is. It is measured in BPM, or beats per minute. For example a tempo of 60 BPM means there will be sixty (60) equal beats in one minute of time, or one beat per every second. A tempo of 120 BPM will have 120 beats per minute, or two beats per every second. Tempos are usually written from a range of 40-180 BPM.
The tempo is usually written at the beginning of the music. Sometimes, the tempo changes throughout the music.
When there is a tempo change, the new tempo is written above the measure where the tempo change occurs.