Note Values

note value indicates the relative duration of a note, using the shape of the note

A whole note last for a whole bar counting 1 2 3 4

Half note last for a count of 2

Quarter note counts on the beat 1 2 3 4

Eight last for half of a quarter beat.

With a time, signature of 4 4 time the bar must add up to the sum of 4 using notes and rests so apart for
a whole note and a whole rest we can mix other note and rest values to equal 4 beats.

Let’s look at a few examples.