Playing First Notes & Basic Rhythm
Goal
Learn the names of white keys and understand how rhythm works.
The musical alphabet only has 7 letters: A - B - C - D - E - F - G.
It Loops!
After G, you just start over at A again. A-B-C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C...
Music is divided into "beats". Think of it like a clock ticking.
| Note Type | Name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 𝅝 | Whole Note | 4 Beats |
| 𝅗𝅥 | Half Note | 2 Beats |
| 𝅘𝅥 | Quarter Note | 1 Beat |
Clap the Rhythm
Set a steady beat (clap 1, 2, 3, 4).
Quarter Notes: Clap on every beat (Clap-Clap-Clap-Clap).
Half Notes: Clap once and hold for two beats (Clap-hold, Clap-hold).
Whole Note: Clap once and hold for all four beats (Clap-hold-hold-hold).
Mini Exercise
"Play Middle C as a Whole Note (4 beats), then D as two Half Notes (2 beats each), then E, F, G, A as Quarter Notes (1 beat each)!"
Quick Recap
Musical alphabet: A to G.
Rhythm is measured in beats.
Quarter = 1, Half = 2, Whole = 4.
Apply Your Knowledge
Practice what you just learned with these songs