Name: _______________________ Music Theory Worksheet 7
NOTE VALUES
As well as looking at the pitch of notes on the stave, we need to also think about some of the
other elements needed to create a piece of music. Another important consideration is the
š
length or duration of the notes. Notes can be written several different ways and each tells us
how many counts or beats to hold them on for.
Here is a semibreve it is worth 4 beats
minim J it is worth 2 beats
crotchet K it is worth 1 beat
quaver - not the edible kind I’m afraid! L it is worth 1/2 beat
semi-quaver M it is worth 1/4 beat
š The note pyramid shows how the note
values can be worked out.
J J For example can you see
K K K K
that there are 2 minims
in a semibreve?
LLLL LLLL
MMMMMMMM MMMMMMMM
• Note: When two or more quavers or semi-quavers are written together they can be joined
up like this : or
KK KKKK
Now try these questions:
1. How many crotchets are there in a semibreve - 2 3 or 4 ?
2. Complete this sentence: A ____________________ is a two count note.
3. True or false - a semiquaver is worth 1 beat? _____________________
4. True or false - L + L + L + L = J _____________________
5. Complete this sentence : A ____________________ is worth a 1/4 beat.
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