Quiet!

Rests

Sssh
!
So! If the notes tell you when and
what to play, the rests tell you when
NOT to play. It indicates a SILENT
note.

This might be because there is a

short pause in the music, or for
piano or orchestral music, simply
that that instrument or hand is not
playing at that moment whilst the
others continue.
 WHOLE REST

This is the longest rest you’ll be learning.

Technically it lasts 4 beats, however it is
usually used to show a whole bar’s rest,
even if the bar is 3 beats for example.
 = 2 beats

Very similar to the whole bar rest, but note

that this rectangle lies on the middle line
while the other hangs from the line above:

= 1 beat
 = ½ beat

From then on the shape stays the same with

each new line halving the length of the
rest, just as happens with the notes.

= ¼ beat
= (usually)