Understanding Note Values
The table of notes shows every note type you are likely to encounter, with the corresponding rests for each in the Note Rests column. Here are a few points to help you understand note values:
- Tempo (beats per minute) dictates the speed of a piece of music. If the tempo is 3 = 60, one quarter note is being played every second. If the time signature is *, then the information contained within 1 bar must run for the same duration as 4 * ¼ notes (or 4 seconds). Any note type(s) can be used within the bar. Therefore, note values are like fractions, dividing the amount of notes being played over a specific time period into different amounts. At a fixed tempo, the greater the number of notes per bar, the greater the speed at which they are played.
- Below each bar is the suggested counting used when playing that note type. Counting (either aloud or in your head) is a way of helping you play the notes correctly. This is especially useful when rests are introduced.
- In * time the digits 1-4 and the sounds "e", "+", "a" are used to signify fractional divisions of the bar.
- Wherever possible, notes are grouped together to make reading easier, e.g., sixteenth notes are grouped together in fours rather than written individually.
- Triplets, unlike all other note types, subdivide by 3 and so are treated as a separate category. The three triplet types shown in the table of notes, are discussed in detail at the end of Section 1. Paragraphs 6 and 7 relate to all note types other than triplets.
- The fraction name if inverted, gives you the number of beats per bar, e.g., 1/8; notes inverted = 8/1; therefore there are 8 * 1/8; notes in 1 bar of * time.
- Working down the table of notes, the number of beats per bar doubles each time you move to the next note type, e.g., there are twice as many 1/8; notes in 1 bar of * time, as there are ¼ notes. This also means that, at a fixed tempo, 1/8; notes are played twice as fast as ¼ notes.
Reading music is like reading a language. Initially the process is slow and we identify only with individual notes. As you become more familiar with the language, you will recognize note groupings and even phrases.
Class Sessions
1- The 3 Strokes of Stick Propulsion
2- INTRODUCTION
3- A Basic Rock Beat
4- Rudiments of Music
5- Explanation of Notation
6- Characteristics of the Arm, Wrist and Finger Strokes
7- Fills
8- Note Values
9- Equipment
10- Exercises for Developing the 3 Strokes of Stick Propulsion
11- Understanding Note Values
12- Bass Drum Variations
13- Concept 3 – The Physics of Volume
14- Concept 4 – Co-ordinating "e’s" and "a’s"
15- Sight Reading Exercises
16- Using the Metronome
17- Repeat signs
18- Bass Drum Variations
19- Upstrokes and Downstrokes
20- Holding the Drum Sticks
21- First and Second Time Bars
22- Snare Drum Variations
23- 3 Steps to Stick Control
24- The Traditional Grip
25- Quarter Note Snare Drum Pulse
26- Rudiments
27- The Matched Grip
28- The Dot
29- Combined Snare Drum and Bass Drum Variations
30- Rolls
31- Practice Suggestions
32- The Tie
33- Hi-hat Openings
34- Triplet Stickings
35- Concept 1 – Minimalization
36- Grace Notes and Principle Notes
37- Syncopation
38- Sixteenth Note Hi-hat Patterns with Bass Drum Variations
39- Stickings Around the Kit
40- Sixteenth Note Hi-hat Patterns with Combined Snare Drum and Bass Drum Variations
41- Joining Stickings Together
42- Eighth and Sixteenth Note Combinations
43- Triplets
44- Hi-hat Openings
45- Dynamics
46- Accent Studies
47- Concept 2 – Playing ¼ Note Triplets
48- Offbeat Snare Drum Patterns
49- Additional Hi-hat and Ride Cymbal Variations
50- Shuffle Patterns
51- Swing
52- Go-go/Hip-hop
53- Latin American
54- Reggae
55- Funk Patterns
56- Odd Time
57- Solos