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How to Learn Rests When Reading Music

Experienced musicians know that music is about more than just the notes. Without rest, music would be a continuous stream of sound devoid of clearly identifiable melodies and phrases. Knowing how to count rests is as important as knowing how to read the notes. When first starting out, students should learn the rests along with the notes to build a strong foundation in music.

Relate Notes to Rest Values 


Step 1 Pick a rest that you want to learn how to "play." Each rest has a corresponding note value that tells you how many beats to hold the rest for.

Step 2 Identify the rest in relation to the note using a note value sheet.

Step 3 Determine how many beats the note has, and apply that number to the rest. For instance, a half note has the same number of beats as a half rest.

Step 4 Start your metronome. Listen to the steady click. The click is your beat.

Step 5 Hold the rest for the full number of beats that it is associated with.

The Value of a Rest 


Step 1 Find the sixteenth-note rest on a note value chart. A sixteenth-note rest has a quarter beat of rest. For every click on the metronome, you will play four sixteenth-note rests.

Step 2 Find the eighth-note rest on a note value chart. An eighth-note rest has a half beat of rest. For every click on the metronome, you will play two eighth-note rests.

Step 3 Find the quarter-note rest on a note value chart. A quarter-note rest has one beat of rest. For every click on the metronome, you will play one quarter-note rest.

Step 4 Find the half-note rest on a note value chart. A half-note rest has two beats of rest. For every two clicks on the metronome, you will play one half-note rest.

Step 5 Find the whole-note rest on a note value chart. A whole-note rest has four beats of rest. For every four clicks on the metronome, you will play two half-note rests.

Count eighth-note rests by subdividing whole numbers: 1 and 2 and 3 and 4. Count quarter-note rests with the whole number: 1, 2, 3, 4. Keep a steady beat in your head at all times while counting rests and notes. Practice rhythms of varying complexity to improve your skill. Do not play faster than you are able to. Playing inaccurately but fast will only set you back further in your studies. Get a private tutor to help you with your music education.

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