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, but you can see 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
Count along with this example.
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 a beam.
The following example makes use of eighth notes along with all the other note values you have learnt. Write counting numbers under the notes, but remember that the aim is to know the note values so well that you don’t need any written counting numbers. Instead, try counting out loud as you listen or play along with the CD.
The Eighth Rest
This is an eighth rest.
It indicates half a beat of silence.
Eighth rest can be used either off the beat or on the beat. Both positions are shown in the following example.
Here is another example demonstrating the use of eighth rests. Once again, write counting numbers under the notes and count out loud, listening to the CD as you follow the timing on the page. If you are playing the example, 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 until you can play the example along with the CD.
