Introduction

Lesson 1 focused on the notation of pitch in music.  This lesson deals with the notation of rhythm, or duration.  We have already seen how notes are used to represent pitches.  Notes also serve to specify the length of time (duration) a pitch is to be sustained and to indicate relative durations.

1

Notes

Rhythm deals with movement in time.  Specifically, it is the pattern of durations found in music.  Notes are symbols representing the relative duration, or length, of a sound.  The rhythms we hear are indicated by the notes we see.  The relative length of a note is determined by its appearance which might include the notehead (open or solid), stem, or flag(s).

The use of particular types of notes makes it possible to specify the precise length of time a sound should be heard and indicates relative durational values. Following are the various note types and their respective names.

Note types and note names

Rhythms are defined by mathematical ratios.  Your knowledge of fractions might help you better understand these values.  For example: