This is a whole note. It gets 4 counts.
 

This is a half note. Half notes get two beats or counts.
If the half note has a dot after it, then it gets three counts.

This is a quarter note. Quarter notes get one beat or count.

This is a quarter rest. It gets one beat of silence. Do not play when you see this. Take a breath.

Click the large note icon to hear the rhythm pattern shown. Count this rhythm as you listen. You may slap your leg or rock your body forward to feel the beat. Say each number as you slap, rock, or tap your foot.

Listen to the rhythm again.
This time whisper a “du” sound as you hear each note in the rhythm.
This is called tonguing. Tongue each note when you play your recorder.
Remember left hand goes on top.

There are two large numbers at the beginning of the line. This is called the time signature or meter. The top number tells you there are 4 beats in the measure.
The bottom number tells you the quarter note gets the beat.

Click here to see and hear 2 songs with this rhythm. Click here to go to Lesson 2.