Note lengths

Notes make the sound happen! They come in all pitches and lengths, and along with rests, fit together to make music.

The basic note types are:

• 4 beats = semi-breve
• 2 beats = minim
• 1 beat = crotchet
• 1/2 beat = quaver

Then you can add to these to change their length:

• A dot . behind the note increases by 50%
  • dotted crotchet = 1.5 beats
  • dotted minim = 3 beats
• Another beam/tail on top of note decreases by 50%
  • 1 beam = 1/2 beat
  • These can be grouped together
  • 2 tails = 1/4 beat = semi-quaver
  • 3 tails = 1/8 beat = demi-semi-quaver

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The video below shows how different note lengths look: