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15.2.1: Common Patterns

  • Page ID
    258572
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    Simple Patterns

    The note values used in time signatures with the half note receiving one beat look just like those used in time signatures where the quarter note receives one beat. The way we count these groups of note durations is different.

    Note Values
    Note Type Syllable Duration in 2/2 A full measure of 2/2
    Quarter note (Quarter noteQuarter note)

    ta - di

    Half beat

    Quarter note Quarter note Quarter note Quarter note 
    Eighth notes (Two eighth notesTwo eighth notes)

    ta - ka - di - mi

    Quarter of a beat

    Pair of eighth notes Pair of eighth notes Pair of eighth notes Pair of eighth notes 
    Half note (Half note)

    ta

    One beat

    Half note HalfNote.png
    Whole note (whole note)

    ta - ah

    Two beats

    Whole note
    Dotted quarter note (Dotted quarter note)

    Usually paired with an eighth note

    ta - (ka - di) - mi

    Three quarters of a beat

    Dotted quarter and an eighth Dotted quarter and an eighth


    This page titled 15.2.1: Common Patterns is shared under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Lauren C. Sharkey.

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