Half Notes


Below are images of two half notes. Notice the stems attached to the outlines of each outlined oval. These stems, which as you see may be pointed up or down, and the fact that the note heads are not filled in with ink but only outlines, are what identifies these rhythms as a half notes. Mathematically, halves get half the values of wholes. Therefore, if a whole note lasts four counts (beats), a half note gets only 2 counts (beats). For each half note, sustain the sound for the length of two full beats. Count it: 1-&-2-& or 3-&-4-& or 2-&-3-&. Your foot should tap the two beats in 4 clear pulses: Down-up, Down-up.

 

Half Note Stem Down Half Note Stem Up

 

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