The document discusses different musical notes and their durations. It explains that the shape of each note indicates how many beats it lasts. The longest note shown lasts 4 beats, while shorter notes with stems last 2 or 1 beat. Even shorter notes have hooks added to their tails, cutting the duration in half for each hook. When multiple short notes are placed next to each other, they are joined together and equal a longer note in duration. The direction of the note stems also depends on whether the note is above or below the middle line of the musical staff.

1. Notes

2. The shape of the note tells you how long
to play it for. Each one has a name, but
all you need to know for now is how many
beats it lasts (how many beats you have
to count as you play it).
You have already come across this note, a
hollow circle:
= 4 beats
This is the longest note that you will
learn.

3. The next note is still hollow but with a
stem:
= 2 beats
Then a filled-in circle with a stem:
= 1 beat

4. As the notes get shorter hooks are
added to the tail. For each hook, the
note halves in length:
= ½ beat
= ¼ beat
etc

5. 4
2
1
½
¼

6. You’ll have noticed on the last slide
that when there are two of
These or these next to each they
can join up like this:

7. And when they’re put on the stave the
stems points upwards if the note is
below the middle line:
But downwards if the note is on or above
the middle line:

8. So! First you’ll learn the lengths of
the notes and then there’s a ‘musical
maths’ section to get you thinking! For
that, you just have to work out what
longer note the several shorter notes
that you’re shown are equal to in
length, e.g.
=
½ + ½ + ½ + ½ = 2
Ready?