Time Signatures
At the beginning of each piece of music, after the clef, you will see a time signature. The top number indicates the number of beats per bar. The bottom number indicates the type of note receiving each beat. The * time signature indicates that there are four quarter notes per bar.
Here are two bars of quarter notes in * time. In the first bar, all four notes are on the same pitch (a middle C note) while the second bar contains four notes of varying pitches. The pitch of a note has no effect on how long the note should sound, i.e., a quarter note lasts for one beat regardless of whether it is a G, C, F, or any other pitch.
The most important thing here is the rhythm. Don’t worry about the pitches too much at this stage. Listen to the example on the recording and then imitate the sounds you hear. Sing each note using the syllable la. Also practice reading the music and counting the rhythm out loud, then tap your foot and count on each beat while clapping the written rhythm.
The Half Note
This is a half note.
It has a value of two beats.
There are two half notes in one bar of * time.
The next example contains two bars of half notes in * time. To make sure you start your first note in the right place, count 1, 2, 3, 4 before starting. This will help you get the feel of the rhythm. As you proceed through the example, think – one two – as you sing the first note in each bar and – three four – as you sing the second note in each bar. Tap your foot on each beat to help you keep time. On the recording there are four drumbeats to introduce examples in * time. Count along with the beats to help you establish the correct tempo (speed).
The big numbers 1 and 3 tell you to sing the note. The small numbers 2 and 4 tell you to sustain that note until the next one. Remember that there are four beats in each bar. Once again, use the syllable la to sing this example.
