basic rhythm guide
notes
Whole note
Half note
quarter note
Eighth note
Sixteenth note
Time
signature
4
4
Top number = the
number of beats
per bar
Rests
w
4 beats
h
2 beats
q
1 beat
e
1/2 beat
x
1/4 beat
Counting
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
1e &a 2 e &a 3 e & a 4 e & a
Tie
Connects the rhythmic
value of two or more
notes.
Bottom number =
the value of each
beat (4 = quarter, 8
= eighth etc.
Practical
example
Value
1
2
slash
notation
Used to notate rhythms
without specifying notes.
Often used to indicate
rhythms of chord
strumming.
& 3 & 4 &
Repeat sign
A backward facing repeat
sign directs back to the
the most recent forward
facing repeat sign or the
start of the piece.