Rhythm: note values and time signatures

Written rhythms tell you exactly how long each note lasts. Once you know the note values, you can clap any rhythm you see.

Practise this lesson free (6 questions)

Note values

In the UK, notes have these names. Each has a matching rest (a silence of the same length).
Two quavers last as long as one crotchet; four semiquavers last as long as one crotchet.
NoteWhat it looks likeBeats (in 4/4)
SemibreveAn open oval, no stem4
MinimAn open oval with a stem2
CrotchetA filled-in oval with a stem1
QuaverA crotchet with one tail (or joined by one beam)half
SemiquaverTwo tails (or two beams)quarter

Dots and ties

A dot after a note adds half its value again. A dotted minim lasts 2 + 1 = 3 beats; a dotted crotchet lasts 1 + half = 1 and a half beats.
A tie is a curved line joining two notes of the same pitch: play them as one long note, adding the values together.

Bars and time signatures

Music is split into bars by bar lines. A time signature at the start has two numbers.
The top number says how many beats are in each bar. The bottom number says what kind of beat: 4 means crotchet beats.
So 4/4 has 4 crotchet beats in a bar (also called common time), 3/4 has 3 (a waltz feel) and 2/4 has 2 (a march feel).
The first beat of each bar is usually the strongest.
Worked example

In 4/4 time, a bar has a minim and a crotchet. What single note would complete the bar?

  1. A bar of 4/4 needs 4 crotchet beats.
  2. A minim is 2 beats and a crotchet is 1 beat: 2 + 1 = 3 beats.
  3. 4 minus 3 = 1 beat is missing, which is one crotchet (or a crotchet rest).

Answer: A crotchet (or a crotchet rest).

Key idea

Semibreve 4 beats, minim 2, crotchet 1, quaver half, semiquaver a quarter. A dot adds half the value. In a time signature, the top number is the beats per bar and the bottom number the type of beat.

Key words
Note values
Semibreve 4 beats; minim 2; crotchet 1; quaver a half; semiquaver a quarter. A dot adds half the note's value.
Semibreve
A note lasting four beats in 4/4 time.
Minim
A note lasting two beats in 4/4 time.
Crotchet
A note lasting one beat in 4/4 time.
Quaver
A note lasting half a beat in 4/4 time.
Semiquaver
A note lasting a quarter of a beat in 4/4 time.

All KS3 Music key terms and definitions →

Quick check

Try two quick questions

See if it has sunk in. Answers are marked straight away.

Extra practice

2 more questions

Try each one, then tap to check.

  1. How many crotchet beats does a semibreve last?

    Show the answer

    Answer: 4 beats

    A semibreve lasts 4 crotchet beats.

  2. How many crotchet beats do two semibreves tied together last?

    Show the answer

    Answer: 8 beats

    4 + 4 = 8 beats.

Check you have got it

Answer 6 quick questions with instant marking. If you get one wrong, GCSE-ready shows you why and gives you another go. It is free, and you do not need an account.

Practise this lesson free (6 questions)All KS3 Music lessons

Video for this lesson coming soon. Subscribe on YouTube

Sources and references

Last updated 2 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.

Related lessons