Rhythm Reading Basics: Note Values, Rests, and Counting Aloud

Why Rhythm Reading Matters (Even on One Note)

When you read music, rhythm tells you when to play. For beginner classical guitar, it helps to separate rhythm from pitch at first: you can practice timing on open strings (or by clapping) so your attention stays on steady counting, accurate durations, and clean starts/stops.

Core Note Values in 4/4 Time

Most beginner pieces use 4/4 (four beats per measure; the quarter note gets one beat). Think of each measure as a box that must be filled with exactly 4 beats.

Rule: Measures Must Add Up

In 4/4, the total duration of notes (and rests) inside one measure must equal 4 quarter-note beats. Example: two half notes = 2 + 2 = 4 beats. Or: eight eighth notes = 8 × 1/2 = 4 beats.

Rests: Silence Has a Duration

Rests are counted exactly like notes, but you do not play. The most common beginner rests match the note values above.

Rest Placement Changes the Feel

A quarter rest on beat 1 creates a “late entrance.” A quarter rest on beat 4 creates a “cutoff” before the barline. Always keep counting through rests so the next entrance is on time.

Continue in our app.

• Listen to the audio with the screen off.
• Earn a certificate upon completion.
• Over 5000 courses for you to explore!

Or continue reading below...

Download the app

Dots and Ties: Extending Duration

Dotted Notes

A dot adds half of the note’s value to itself.

• Dotted half note = 2 beats + 1 beat = 3 beats.
• Dotted quarter note = 1 beat + 1/2 beat = 1.5 beats (often counted “1 &” while holding through the “&”).

Ties

A tie connects two notes of the same pitch, making one longer sound. You play the first note only, then hold through the tied note’s value without re-attacking.

• Example: quarter note tied to quarter note = 1 + 1 = 2 beats (like a half note, but it can cross beat boundaries).
• Ties are common across beats 2–3 or 4–1 (across a barline).

A Consistent Counting Method

Quarter-Note Pulse: “1 2 3 4”

In 4/4, count steady quarter-note beats: 1 2 3 4. Quarter notes happen on the numbers. Half notes last for two numbers. Whole notes last for all four numbers.

Eighth Notes: Add “&”

When eighth notes appear, subdivide each beat: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &. Eighth notes can land on the number (downbeat) or the “&” (offbeat).

Counting Rests

Keep saying the count even when silent. Some players whisper the number during rests; others say it normally but do not move the hand. Either way, the internal clock must continue.

Clap/Tap First, Then Play

Step-by-Step Routine (Use for Every Exercise)

1. Scan the measure: identify the smallest value (quarter? eighth?) so you know whether to count with “&”.
2. Count aloud at a slow, steady tempo (no guitar yet).
3. Clap notes and open-hand “air clap” rests (or tap your foot on the numbers while clapping rhythms).
4. Tap and count again, but now emphasize beat 1 slightly so you feel the measure.
5. Play on one open string (e.g., 1st string open) using a consistent right-hand stroke. Keep counting aloud.
6. Repeat until the rhythm feels automatic, then increase tempo slightly.

Metronome Tip

Set the metronome to click quarter notes. Speak 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & if there are eighths, aligning the numbers with the clicks and fitting “&” exactly between clicks.

Activity Sequence: From Single Rhythms to Mixed Rhythms

Activity 1: Single-Rhythm Measures (Clap Only)

Clap each measure while counting aloud. Repeat each measure 4 times before moving on.

4/4  | 1 2 3 4 | (counting reference)

• A: Four quarter notes (clap on 1 2 3 4).
• B: Two half notes (clap on 1 and 3; hold through 2 and 4).
• C: One whole note (clap on 1; hold through 2 3 4).
• D: Eight eighth notes (clap on 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &).

Activity 2: Add Rests (Clap Notes, Stay Silent on Rests)

Count continuously. For rests, do not clap, but keep the timing.

• E: Quarter rest on beat 1, then three quarter notes (enter on beat 2).
• F: Two quarter notes, quarter rest on beat 3, quarter note on beat 4.
• G: Half rest (beats 1–2), then two quarter notes (beats 3–4).
• H: Eighth rest on “&” of 1 (count 1 & 2 & ...; clap on 1, silence on “&”, clap on 2, etc.).

Activity 3: Mix Quarters and Eighths

Use 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &. Clap only where notes occur.

• I: Beat 1 = two eighths, beat 2 = quarter, beat 3 = two eighths, beat 4 = quarter.
• J: Quarter, then four eighths (beats 2–3), then quarter.
• K: Offbeat eighths: clap only on “&” of each beat (silence on the numbers). This is challenging; go slow.

Activity 4: Dots and Ties Across Beats

These require you to feel beat boundaries while holding sound.

• L (dotted half): Dotted half note (beats 1–3), then quarter note (beat 4). Count 1 2 3 4; play on 1, hold through 2–3, play again on 4.
• M (dotted quarter + eighth): Dotted quarter (beats 1–1&), then an eighth (the “&” of 2 if written that way), then quarters to finish the bar. Count with “&” and make sure the dotted note lasts 3 subdivisions: 1 & 2 (hold through “1 &”, and into “2”).
• N (tie): Quarter on beat 2 tied to eighth on “&” of 2 (or across beat 2–3 depending on notation). Play once at the start of the tie and do not re-attack on the tied note.
• O (tie across barline): Note on beat 4 tied to beat 1 of the next measure. Count through the barline without restarting the sound.

Open-String Rhythmic Etudes (Timing Focus)

Play these on a single open string (choose 1st string open for a bright sound, or 4th string open for a rounder sound). Use one consistent right-hand stroke (for example, alternating i-m) and keep counting aloud.

Etude 1: Quarter-Note Steadiness

Goal: lock in the beat and make every note the same length.

Time: 4/4  Count: 1 2 3 4  | 1 2 3 4  | 1 2 3 4  | 1 2 3 4

• Measure 1–4: four quarter notes each measure.
• Practice: tap your foot on each number while playing.

Etude 2: Eighth-Note Subdivision

Goal: even spacing between notes using 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &.

Time: 4/4  Count: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & | 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

• Measure 1–2: eight eighth notes each measure.
• Check: the “&” should be exactly halfway between clicks.

Etude 3: Rests and Clean Re-Entries

Goal: stay silent accurately and re-enter without rushing.

Suggested pattern (4/4): | rest (beat 1) + notes (beats 2-4) | notes (1-2) + rest (3) + note (4) |

• Count aloud through the rests.
• On rests, keep your right hand ready but do not “ghost” the string.

Etude 4: Ties (Hold Through the Beat)

Goal: feel beat divisions while sustaining sound.

Suggested pattern (4/4): | quarter (beat 1) + quarter tied to quarter (beats 2-3) + quarter (beat 4) |

• Count 1 2 3 4.
• Play on 2 only once, then hold through 3.

Etude 5: Mixed Eighths, Quarters, and an Eighth Rest

Goal: coordinate subdivision and silence.

Count: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &  (keep this going)

• Include at least one eighth-rest on an “&” (for example, silence on “&” of 2) so you practice offbeat gaps.
• Start very slowly; accuracy first, then tempo.

Self-Check: Common Rhythm Reading Mistakes

• Stopping the count during rests: fix by speaking the count continuously, even if quietly.
• Eighth notes uneven: fix by clapping with metronome and saying “1 & 2 &”.
• Re-attacking tied notes: fix by circling ties in your music and reminding yourself “play once, hold.”
• Dotted notes cut short: fix by counting subdivisions; a dotted quarter lasts three eighth-note subdivisions.