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14.1 · Dividing the Beat

Long notes, short notes

A note doesn't just have a pitch; it has a length, measured in beats. Every length has a written symbol: a whole note fills a four-beat bar, a half note takes two, a quarter note rides the pulse one beat at a time.

The family tree

Each value is exactly half the one before it, so every row below fills the same four clicks. Play a row, watch the symbols: more symbols, shorter notes.

4 beats each: one note fills the whole bar
2 beats each: two even halves
1 beat each: one note per click. The pulse itself
0.5 beats each: two per click, splitting the beat

Length is literal

A half note isn't 'sort of long'. It is exactly two quarters. The symbols keep the math visible: hollow heads are long, filled heads are short, flags make them shorter still.

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Rhythm is the life of a tune

Here's Ode to Joy with its rhythm flattened to all-quarters, then the real thing. Same pitches, but only one of them is alive.

Quiz

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How many beats does this one hold?

Score 100% on every quiz and game to complete this lesson.Splitting the beat →