Course 1: Beginner Piano - Getting started theory and 1st lessons - Module 2 - Section 1 - Verbal Pronunciation of Note Values
Verbal Pronunciation of Note Values
When we count aloud the notes or rests we will use the following articulations:
- For a whole note, we will count the beats by number so (the key is pressed) we will count "One, Two, Three, Four" then release the key (physically or mentally.)
- When we count half notes we will count two beats or "One, Two" then release the key.
- Quarter notes get a count of a single beat (so the key is pressed) we count "One" (Two, Three or Four depending on which beat the note occurs) and then release the key.
- Eighth notes are counted with two syllables (to represent two half beats.) So eight eighth notes are counted as "One, and, Two, and, Three, and, Four, and".
- Sixteenth notes are counted as "One, e, and, dah", "Two, e, and, dah", "Three, e, and, dah", "Four, e, and, dah". One should pronounce the "e" as like the word "eel" (just without the "l").
Sixteenth Note |
Eighth Note |
Quarter Note |
Half note |
Whole Note |
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One e and dah |
One and |
One |
One, Two |
One, Two, Three, Four |
Please notice the eighth note pronunciations appear where they would if we were just counting eighth notes and the added syllables indicate added notes.