Semibreve / Whole Note. Lasts for a whole bar, 4 beats. Minim / Half Note. Lasts for 2 beats in a bar and basically occurs twice as frequent as a whole note. (plays 2 and 4).Crotchet / Quarter Note. Lasts for 1 beat and basically plays each beat (1,2,3,4).Double quaver / Double Eighth Note. Plays 1/2 and hits on the “and”, or if a double then it will play (1+).
Time Signature: At the start of a bar there is usually either 4/4, 3/4, 6/4, 6/8 or 12/8, there can be others but these are the most common. The top number tells you how many beats are in a bar and the bottom number tells you what type of beat you’re playing, i.e. minim’s, crotchets or quavers.
