Chapter 11

Rhythm: Half Notes and Half Rests

Start with our plainest measure: four quarter notes.

Combine two beats

One beat + one beat = ?

Two beats. That longer note is a half note.

Two quarter notes combined into one half note lasting across beats 1 and 2
The half note starts on beat 1 and continues through beat 2.

A half note has an empty note head and a stem. Play once on beat 1 and let the sound continue through beat 2. The note ends when beat 3 begins.

The half rest

A half rest gives us two beats of silence. It sits on top of a staff line; the whole rest hangs from the line.

Beat 1Beat 2
Half notePlayLet it ring
Half restSilentSilent

Two-beat practice

  1. Count 1, 2, 3, 4 while tapping.
  2. Play a half note on beat 1. Let it ring through beat 2.
  3. Mute for a half rest on beats 3 and 4.
  4. Repeat. Do not pluck again on beat 2.

A half note holds two beats of sound. A half rest holds two beats of silence.