Quarter Notes | keyofaaron

Quarter Notes and Quarter Rests

In many popular forms of music, it is common to have four beats in every measure. This means that you would count in groups of four, counting 1-2-3-4 then starting over again at 1 and repeating the cycle. It is often referred to as 4/4 timing or common time.

Quarter Notes

Within 4/4 or common time, quarter notes have a value of one beat, allowing for four notes in each measure if you were to play straight quarter notes. The diagram above is the symbol of a quarter note.

Strum Patterns

1 2 3 4

v v v v

When playing straight quarter notes starting from beat one, you will always land each strum or hit on a number; one, two, three or four. These numbered beats are called downbeats. When playing on the downbeat, 99% of the time, it's most comfortable to strum or pick this note as a down strum or down pick (indicated by a v symbol). Pick any chord and practice strumming down in groups of four with a consistent amount of space between each strum. You are now playing on the downbeats.

Quarter Rests

There is also a symbol that indicates resting (not playing/muting all sound) for one beat. This is called the quarter rest.

Exercises

By combining quarter notes with quarter rests, you can create more space within the music to either be more minimal or more up front with specific hits. Pick any chord and practice the patterns below. Make sure to play on the beats indicated with the quarter note and rest/mute your strings on the beats indicated with the quarter rests.

1 2 3 4

v v v v

1.

1 2 3

v v v

2.

1 2

v v

3.

1

v

4.

2

v

5.

3

v

6.

4

v

7.

2 3

v v

8.

3 4

v v

9.

1 3

v v

10.

2 4

v v

11.

Once you understand and have practiced quarter notes, move on to: