The Rhythm Tree

Whole note

Semibreve

Half note

Minim

Quarter note

Crotchet

Eighth note

Quaver

Sixteenth note

Semiquaver

The pattern continues with the thirty second note (demi-semi-quaver),

and the sixtyfourth note (the hemi-demi-semi-quaver),

The Rhythm Tree shows the relationships between the di erent notes. The design of a note (if it has a stem, is lled in or has one or more tails) tells us the duration of that note. I.e., how long to hold it on for. It is important to understand the relationship between the di erent notes as this helps understand time signatures and many other aspects of music. Although we often say the quarter note is worth one beat the fact is that any note may be worth one beat, depending on the time signature. The most important thing to know is a quater note is two eighth notes, half a half note or quarter of a whole note. Or an eighth note is two sixteenth notes, half a quarter note and an eighth of a half note. Having an understanding of the relationship between the notes, although it seems harder at rst, makes timing much easier later on!
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