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.
When you begin playing songs containing eighth notes, take them slowly at first until you gain control of all the notes. Once you are comfortable with the whole tune, gradually increase the tempo until you can play with more confidence. Since there are more notes now, you may need to breathe every two bars at first. You do not have to wait for a breath mark to breathe. Most sheet music does not contain breath marks so it is up to you to decide the best place to breathe.
Sharp Signs
When a sharp sign is placed in front of a note it raises the pitch of the note by one semitone. Thus the note F# is one semitone higher than F.
The Note F#
A sharp sign is always placed before the note.
Here is another example which uses the F# note. Be sure to tongue all the eighth notes as there are no slurs in this tune.
