| Note Lengths and Basic Time Signature |
| Time Signature is essentially the rythym or steady beat of the song, however it is a bit more complicated than that. It is good to think of time signatures in terms of fractions. The easiest and most common time signature is four-four time, so we will discuss only this one for now. Before we can begin with time signatures, though, we need to learn the different types of note lengths. The most basic and common note length is a quarter note and it counts for one beat in four-four time. Another note length is an eighth note and it counts for half of a quarter note, or half of a beat in four-four time. A half note counts for two quarter notes, or two beats in four-four time. A whole note counts for four quarter notes, two half notes, or four beats in four-four time. Seem confusing? Here is a chart to help you out. |
 |
 |
 |
| time |
 |
 |
| 4 beats in four-four time 4 quarter notes 2 half notes |
| 2 beats in four-four time 2 quarter notes |
| 1 beat in four-four time |
| 1/2 beat in four-four time 1/2 quarter note |
| So there you have it. Of course, there are many other note lengths in music, but they are too complicated to discuss right now. And, of course there are many more topics to discuss in music - too many to discuss on a single web site. If you would like more knowledge about the piano, you can either e-mail me, or I suggest enrolling in piano lessons. Hopefully, this little web site has given you enough piano knowledge to satisfy your musical hunger for now, and with this knowledge, diligent practicing and some hard work, you will be able to play the piano like a pro! |
 |
 |