There are always four beats in a measure The first beat is always 1 (even if we don’t say it out loud when counting) The quarter note gets one beat. The quarter note gets 1 beat in 4/4 time. Practice counting the measures below.

The half note gets two beats in 4/4 time. We will write the half note with the first beat bigger than the second beat. When counting aloud you would only say the first number, but hold it for two beats.

One eighth note gets ½ of the beat in 4/4 time. Two eighth notes together get one beat in 4/4 time. We count eighth notes using the number and the “and” symbol.

Whole notes get four beats in 4/4 time. We will count whole notes with the first beat being large and the other three beats smaller. When we count the whole note out loud, we only say the first beat and hold it for four beats.

Dotted half notes get three beats in 4/4 time. We will write them as a large first number and smaller second and third numbers. If counting a dotted quarter out loud, we say the first number and hold it for three beats.

You can have quarter, half, whole, and eighth rests. They are counted just like their corresponding notes, but in parentheses. We do not say these counts out loud, because rests mean no sound.

Ties combine two notes. Ties can combine notes across bar lines. The first beat is written larger when counting ties and the second, third, or fourth beat are smaller. When counting ties we say the first beat and hold it for however long the tie lasts

Remember, no matter what beat they start on, all notes get the amount of beats listed in this Power Point. Make sure you list the first beat the note starts on bigger than the other numbers. It is more like counting than like adding. Make sure you copy the notes down correctly and write so I can read it.

Every day the bell ringer will count towards your participation points. On Friday every week we will have a bell ringer quiz chosen from one of the bell ringers during the week. Bell ringers must be turned in everyday and corrected if incorrect to receive participation point. Bell ringers will be returned on Thursday for use as a study guide for the bell ringer quiz. PLEASE write legibly!