| If you have ever stopped to look at a piece of | | | | notation added which will be discussed later on. |
| sheet music you will have noticed many different | | | | The next type of note is a half note. This note |
| shapes ranged across the page. Many look like | | | | will look like a small open circle with a line rising up |
| circles that might or might not be totally filled in. | | | | from the right side. As the name implies this type |
| Some may look connected by a couple lines or | | | | of note will only be held for half the time that a |
| more. There are other strange symbols as well. | | | | whole note would be held. You will never see a |
| What does this all mean? | | | | whole note on the same measure as another |
| Is sheet music written in some strange language | | | | note except in very specific time signatures which |
| that only a musician can understand? The answer | | | | are the rare exception indeed. |
| to that is a resounding no! While it can seem | | | | Your next note will be a quarter note. Each of |
| daunting at first sheet music is not extremely | | | | these notes in a measure are held for |
| difficult to read once you know and understand | | | | one-quarter of a beat. A quarter note will look |
| the different types of notes and symbols you are | | | | just like a half note except the circle section will |
| looking at. | | | | be completely filled. The other types of notes you |
| The note structure for most sheet music follows | | | | will find will be drawn similar to the quarter notes |
| the same basic rules. A whole note is the first | | | | except for one difference. |
| note that you should be able to recognize easily. | | | | It is this difference that will determine the length |
| It looks like an open circle and will occupy one full | | | | of the beat for which the note will be held. Eighth |
| measure (the space between two of the vertical | | | | notes for example are joined at the top of their |
| bars which are placed at even integrals across the | | | | vertical lines by a bar that crosses from one note |
| staff. A whole note is one that is held for the full | | | | to the next. It is this single bar at the top that will |
| measure of a beat. | | | | let you know that the notes are held for one |
| A whole note that falls under different time | | | | eighth of a beat apiece. The same will go for |
| signatures will not be held for the same length of | | | | sixteenth notes which are joined by two bars at |
| time however. A whole note in 4/4 time will be | | | | the top and thirty second notes which are joined |
| held for a full four beats whereas one in 3/4 time | | | | by three bars at the top of the note. Once you |
| will only be held for three beats. This difference | | | | can recognize these different types of notes you |
| aside the whole note will always be considered a | | | | will learning sheet music before you know it. |
| whole note unless there is another bit of musical | | | | |