Long and short notes

Counting in beats

Some notes last a long time. Some are short. We count in beats, using the crotchet as one beat. A beat is steady, like the tick of a clock. A crotchet is a filled-in note head with a stem.

The minim

A minim lasts two beats. Play it, then hold it while you count 1, 2. A minim is an open note head with a stem.

The semibreve

A semibreve lasts four beats. Count 1, 2, 3, 4. It is an open note head with no stem. So one semibreve lasts as long as two minims, or four crotchets.

Remember

• Crotchet: filled-in head and a stem, 1 beat.
• Minim: open head and a stem, 2 beats.
• Semibreve: open head, no stem, 4 beats.