1. Multimedia Sound Production
Music Notation: Notes and Time Signatures

2. Agenda Theory and Conventions
Note Values, Graphical Form and Naming Conventions
Bars and Notation
Associated Note Rests
Time Signatures and Tempo

3. Theory and Conventions
Musical notes are written on a Stave
A stave is divided into note groups called Bars
A musical note has Pitch and Duration
The duration of a note is indicated by its graphical form
The duration of a note is measured in Beats
The number of notes each bar will contain depends on the note duration and the Time Signature
A common time signature is four beats to a bar
The notes and rests in each bar must add up to maintain
the correct number of beats in each bar for the given time signature

5. Musical Note Duration and Graphical Form
Value in Beats
American Name
Classical Name 4
Whole Note
Semibreve 2
Half Note
Minim

6. Musical Note Duration and Graphical Form
Value in Beats
American Name
Classical Name 1
Quarter Note
Crotchet
The crochet or quarter note defines the basic pulse of the piece

7. Musical Note Duration and Graphical Form
Value in Beats
American Name
Classical Name
Eighth Note
1/2
Quaver
1/4
Sixteenth Note
Semi Quaver

8. Notes Written in Groups within a Bar

9. Time Signatures
4/4 Time “Common Time”
44

10. Time Signatures
2/4 Time ‘March’
24

11. Time Signatures
3/4 Time ‘Waltz’
34

12. Musical Rest Duration and Graphical Form
Note
Rest
Semibreve
Symbol’s position
on bar-line indicates
the type of rest
Minim
Crochet

13. Musical Rest Duration and Graphical Form
Note
Rest
Quaver
Semi Quaver

14. Semibreve and Minim Rests
Semibreve rest hangs from the fourth line
Minim rest sits on the third line

15. Dotted crochet = three quavers
Dotted Notes and Rests
A dotted note or rest indicates that the note or rest duration is increased by half of its value 
Crochet = two quavers 
Dotted crochet = three quavers

16. Notes
Rests

17. 4 4 Notes Rests Quavers joined with single bar
Semiquavers joined with double bar

18. Complete the bars to maintain two - four time
Notes
Rests 2 4
Complete the bars to maintain two - four time

19. Complete the bars to maintain three - four time
Notes
Rests 3 4
Complete the bars to maintain three - four time

20. Essential Reading Charlton: pages 134-195 Rhythm
Read the following to support and extend your understanding:
Charlton: pages Rhythm
Further details on note values and graphical representation, tied notes and triplets