Beaming Notes

With notes of less value than a crotchet (quarter note) it is easier to read the beat
value when the notes are joined with a line called a BEAM.
The beam can join two or more notes together, we will take a look at some
examples written below.
When joining small valued notes like quaver (eighth notes) and semiquaver
(sixteenth notes),
the notes are joined at the tip of the stem, with one line for the quaver (eighth notes)
and
2 lines for the semiquaver (sixteenth notes). The Beam replaces the tail / flag.

Here is another example of 2/4 time signature, using four quaver (eighth notes) in
one bar.
 Looking at these two examples you can see how easier it is to read the beat
count in example 2. With the quaver (eighth notes) beamed together.

crotchet (quarter notes) found in bar 2.

Joining semiquavers (sixteenth notes) with quaver (eighth notes).
You can also join together the quaver (eighth note) along with two
semiquavers (sixteenth notes)
See the example below, in bar two. Beamed notes.

The notes look much easier to count when written as the second example.
To write the notes like this, first draw three crotchet ( quarter notes) then place the
the first beam across all three notes, now add a second beam across the 2nd and
3rd
notes, this second beam turns the notes into semiquavers (sixteenth notes.)
What if the quaver (eighth note) comes in the middle like this:

First draw three crotchet (quarter notes) now add one line across all three notes
like this: they now become beamed quaver (eighth notes)
Now place a short line on the inside of the note, slightly below the main line,
then do the same on the third note.
Each short line is drawn toward the middle note, but do take care not to
let your line touch the middle note stem.
When complete should look...
like this:

Counting small beat values

In place of writing the word 'and' we normally use a plus + sign to replace the word,
the count would then be written like this, with the quavers (eighth notes) beamed.

When counting small value notes, always say the number before the +
you will see some example of this in the bars below, look carefully at the
counting, it is important.

Count 1.......... 2........ +......... 1....... 2.... +....... 1...... +........ 2..... + .........1....... 2
In the second bar the dot belonging to the crotchet (quarter Note) takes the first half
of the second beat, the quaver rest (eighth rest) gets the other half.

Count.... 1....... 2...... 3.......... 1..... +...... 2....... 3...... 1..... +... 2.... +...... 3....... 1....
2.... 3
To help you get a good feel for the different type of beats, it will help if you clap
out these rhythms, counting the beats out aloud.
Notice in the last bar, the minim (half note) gets the first two beats, beat three is
silent because it is a rest.

Count 1...2.. 3.. +.... 4.... +...... 1..... 2..... +... 3..... +...... 4........ 1.... 2.... 3..... 4.......
1... 2... 3... 4
We have a very important point to mention in this rhythm, one which
is most important you remember.
In bar 1. the four quavers (eighth notes belong to the last half of the bar,
covering beat 3 and beat 4. it is correct to join all these four notes with a beam.
However, when we look at bar 2. The quaver ( eighth notes) are in the middle of the
bar,
therefore, it is NOT correct to beam across the four notes, in this case
the notes may only be joined together in two's.
 When can I beam my notes?

When grouping notes with beams in 2 over 4 time,

the examples above are correct.

The above are correct for grouping of notes

with beams in 3 over 4 time signature.

I'm sure you can see which one of these looks good. Always take care with your
note groupings, most importantly write neatly, use a ruler to keep your lines straight.
 Beaming Two Notes, Stems Up or Down
If we have two notes which are far apart on the staff (stave), how do we
decide which way to place the stem.
Look at your two notes, decide which note is the closer to the middle line,
also is the second note moving up or down in pitch.
Let's take a look at this example...

Important point here, notice the length of the stems,

when one note is much higher, or lower than the other, the length of the stems
need to be adjusted.
Beaming notes
Ties and dots
Answers
Take a look through these examples....

Looking at example ( a b and d )

the beats are easy to count.
So what is wrong with (c) ?
The rule of not beaming more than four
quaver (eighth notes) was broken in this
example.
Therefore, more difficult to quickly count
the beats.
 More examples of correct note groupings

With the examples for 3 over 2 above. compare example (c) and (d).

(d) is correct because it clearly shows the first half of beat 1. with the four semiquavers (16th notes)
beamed, the second half of beat 1 is also clear with the two semiquavers (16th notes) joined to a
quaver (eighth note) making the first Minim (Half Note) beat.

The two Crotchet (Quarter Notes) make the 2nd beat, the bar is then completed with the Minim (Half
Note) claiming beat three.
The example below shows beamed notes in 4 over 2 time.
The first line is correct because the quaver (eighth notes) have been in groups of four, each group
making the value of one minim (half note) beat.
The second set is wrong, due to the incorrect beaming of the first two beats.

When you are using Semibreve (whole notes) or Minim (half notes) always use a semibreve (whole
note) whenever possible, Not Two Tied Minims (Half Notes).

Take a look at these examples below...

Beaming together in 3 over 8 Time

In 3/8 time signature you may beam together quaver (eighth notes) or semiquaver (sixteenth notes)
that make a complete bar.

Here are some examples...

Only when you use a full bar of Semiquavers (16th notes) are you allowed to beam six together, all
other times no more than four.

Five notes may be joined together like in the first bar of the example below, it is clear to read, and
looks better than the second bar.

When you need to beam notes written on the staff (stave) sometimes you have to decide which way
the stems should go.

How will I know which way to place my note stems?

Say we have three notes written, two have stems going down, but the third note stem is going up.

Like this:

The Stem of the first two notes are going down, but the 3rd note stem is going up. When you beam
they must all go the same way.

So what do I look for?

Look at which note is the furthest away from the middle line. In our example we can see the first note
written on the 5th line is the one we are looking for, the second note already shows the stem coming
down.
Therefore, our best choice will be

Like this:

Here is another example of which way to place your stem when joining the notes with a beam.

Look at these three notes: which way do you think the stems should go?

Once again finding the note furthest away from the middle line, we see the note hanging below the
staff (stave)
Compare example a. with example b.
I think we would all agree, stem Up with example b. is the best choice.

example (a) stems down

example (b) stems up