Understanding Music Notation Basics

Which of the following symbols represents a rest that lasts for two beats in 4/4 time?

• Quarter rest

• Half rest

• Whole rest

• Eighth rest

• Play the note one step lower

• Play the note one step higher

• Play the note as written

• Play the note for twice as long

Which note value is equal to two quarter notes combined?

• Eighth note

• Half note

• Whole note

• Sixteenth note

A dotted quarter note is followed by an eighth note in a measure. How many beats do these two notes add up to in 4/4 time?

• 1 beat

• 1.5 beats

• 2 beats

• 2.5 beats

You are given a measure in 4/4 time with the following notes: one half note, one quarter note, and two eighth notes. Does this measure have the correct number of beats? Explain your reasoning.

• Yes, because the total is 4 beats.

• No, because the total is 3.5 beats.

• Yes, because the total is 3 beats.

• No, because the total is 5 beats.

A student wants to write a rhythm that lasts for three beats using only quarter notes and eighth notes. Which combination below is correct?

• 3 quarter notes

• 2 quarter notes and 2 eighth notes

• 1 quarter note and 4 eighth notes

• 6 eighth notes

If a piece of music has a time signature of 3/4, which of the following groups of notes correctly fills one measure?

• 1 half note and 1 quarter note

• 3 half notes

• 2 quarter notes and 2 eighth notes

• 1 whole note

A student sees a symbol that looks like a sideways "S" with a line through it at the beginning of a staff. What is this symbol called, and what does it indicate?

• Treble clef; it shows higher pitches

• Bass clef; it shows lower pitches

• Flat sign; it lowers the note

• Natural sign; it cancels sharps or flats

You are composing a measure in 4/4 time and want to use a combination of a dotted half note and another note to fill the measure. Which note should you add?

• Quarter note

• Eighth note

• Half note

• Sixteenth note

Which of the following best describes the difference between a whole note and a half note in terms of duration?

• A whole note lasts twice as long as a half note.

• A half note lasts twice as long as a whole note.

• They both last the same amount of time.

• A whole note lasts four times as long as a half note.