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.
Quick check
How many beats does a minim last?
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.
Quick check
What is this note?
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.
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