Keys
B7
The key is the central note on which a piece of music is based. A Blues in the key of C would start with some kind of C chord (e.g., C7). A Blues in the key of E will start with an E chord or a variation of it (e.g., E7). The following example is a 12 Bar Blues progression in the key of E which demonstrates the use of half notes and half rests. The chords used here are E7, A7 and B7 as is shown in the following diagram.
The Whole Note
This is a whole note. It lasts for four beats. There is one whole note in one bar of * time.
The Whole Rest
This symbol is called a whole rest. It indicates either four beats of silence or a whole bar of silence.
C7
In the following example, the guitar plays a whole note in one bar and nothing in the following bar (a whole rest). This means there is a lot of space for the other instruments. This example uses the chords G7, D7 and C7 as shown in the following diagram. Remember to keep counting regardless of whether notes or rests appear in the notation. It is also a good idea to tap your foot on each beat to help you keep time.
The Dotted Half Note
A dot written after a note extends its value by half. A dot after a half note means that you hold it for three beats.
Here is a short example demonstrating the use of dotted quarter notes.
To finish this lesson, here is a 12 Bar Blues which makes use of all the note values you have learned. It uses the chords D7, G7and A7.
