Rests
Rests are used to indicate specific periods of silence. The following example makes use of quarter, half and whole rests. Small counting numbers are placed under rests. The half rest and the whole rest look very similar. The difference is that the half rest sits on top of the middle line of the staff, while the whole rest hangs below the fourth line.
Quarter Rest
Half Rest
Whole Rest
The Eighth Note
This is an eighth note. It lasts for half a count. There are eight eighth notes in one bar of * time. When eighth notes are joined together the tails are replaced by one beam.
The following example makes use of eighth notes along with all the other note values you have learned. Write counting numbers under the notes if you need to, but try to get to know the note values well enough that you don’t need counting numbers. Remember to count out loud as you play and use your metronome to help you keep good time.
The Eighth Rest
This is an eighth rest. It indicates half a beat of silence.
Eighth rests can be used to indicate a short note played on the beat (half the value of a quarter note), or a rest on the beat. Both these positions are as follows:
Here is another example demonstrating the use of eighth rests. Once again, write counting numbers under the notes at first if you need to. Make sure you hold all notes for exactly the amount of time indicated by their value.
Also be sure to leave exactly the right amount of space for rests. Play slowly with your metronome until you are confident with all the note and rest values and then gradually increase the speed (tempo) when you are confident.
