Rest Duration
  • Rests represent periods of silence in a measure.
  • Each type of rest shares a duration with a certain type of note.
  • For example, both a quarter rest and a quarter note occupy the same amount of time.
  • While the note would make a sound, the rest is silent.
  • To demonstrate this, let's fill a measure of 4/4 time with quarter notes.
  • When played, all four notes sound.
  • Next, we will replace the second quarter note with a quarter rest.
  • When played, the second beat is now silent.
  • Next, let's discuss the other types of rests.
  • A whole rest occupies the same amount of time as a whole note.
  • It is drawn as a box descending from the fourth staff line.
  • A half rest occupies the same amount of time as a half note.
  • It is drawn as a box ascending from the middle staff line.
  • Like notes, rests can have flags.
  • With one flag, an eighth rest has the same duration as an eighth note.
  • With two flags, a sixteenth rest has the same duration as a sixteenth note.
  • Although rarer, rests can have three or more flags.
  • Use this chart for reference to rest duration.
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