Below are images of quarter notes. Notice the stems attached to the note heads that are filled-in (black) ovals. These vertical stems, which as you see may be pointed up or down, and the fact that the note heads are filled in with ink (not only outlines), are what identifies these rhythms as a quarter notes. Mathematically, quarters get half the values of halves, and 1/4 the values of wholes. Therefore, if a whole note lasts four counts (beats), a half note gets only 2 counts (beats) and these quarters sustain sound for 1 count each. For each quarter note, sustain the sound for the length of one full beat. Count it: 1-& or 2-& or 3-& or 4-&. (Advanced students will know that quarters can be syncopated, occuring from one mid-beat to the next: &-2, etc.) 1-& or 2-& or 3-& or 4-&Your foot should tap the one full in 2 clear pulses: Down-up (in syncopation: up-Down).