Quarter Notes and Eighth Notes

Learn about quarter notes and eighth notes: read and perform quarter-note and eighth-note rhythms

🎵 Stage Brief #1

Quarter notes, eighth notes, half notes, and whole notes are the building blocks of rhythm.

🎯 Your mission

If your foot's not moving, you're not feeling it yet.

⚡ The twist

Tempo isn't speed for the sake of it — it's the heartbeat of the song.

What you'll learn · 1 of 2

Quarter notes, eighth notes, half notes, and whole notes are the building blocks of rhythm.

What you'll learn · 2 of 2

Each has a different duration.

Remember

🎧 Listen

Listen for this

🎧 Listen for the LOW thump and the HIGH tap. They take turns.

🎼 Notes on the staff

Tap a note to hear it

🌟 Artist spotlight

🌟 Sheila E. became a top drummer at 15 by practicing in her bedroom on pots and pans.

🤯 Mind = blown

🤯 Your heartbeat is the first rhythm you ever hear — before you're even born.

Check your understanding · 1 of 3

Can you clap to the beat of a song?

Check your understanding · 2 of 3

Is a lullaby fast or slow?

Check your understanding · 3 of 3

Do drums make sound when you hit them?

Nice work!

You got 0 of 3 right.

🎯

We'll pick a music lesson that matches exactly where your ear is right now.

✨ More to explore

🌍 Where you hear this: Every game soundtrack, every TikTok beat, every commercial jingle — rhythm is the foundation.

🏆 Try this week: Make up a 4-beat clap pattern. Teach it to one person.

👨‍👩‍👧 At dinner: “Clap a rhythm. Can your kid clap it back? Try one with a rest in it.”

Send it to a parent who wants 5 minutes of music with their kid — no instrument required.

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