4/4 Time Signatures, Quarter, Half, Whole Notes

ByBradford Werner
2022

Ways to Practice 4/4 Time Signatures, Quarter, Half, Whole Notes – This lesson covers how to understand 4/4 time signatures as well as four ways to practice quarter notes, half notes, and whole notes. I explain the structure and rhythmic hierarchy of the time signature and then four ways to practice rhythms in that time. The four methods are: Clap and Sing, Tap and Play, Count and Play, and Use a Metronome and Play. The examples are from my 60 Open String Rhythm Exercises in my Classical Guitar Method Volume 2. If you don’t own the book you can just pick up the tips at the beginning.

Times and Sections

0:00 – Intro
0:30 – 4/4 Time and the Rhythmic Hierarchy
3:10 – Four Ways to Practice Rhythms
6:22 – Quarter Notes, Half Notes, and Whole Notes
10:05 – Exercise No.1
13:26 – Exercise No.2
15:05 – Exercise No.3
16:29 – Final Thoughts

Bradford Werner

Bradford Werner is a classical guitarist and music publisher from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. He originally created this site for his students at the Victoria Conservatory of Music but now shares content worldwide. Curating guitar content helps students absorb the culture, musical ideas, and technique of the classical guitar. Bradford also has a YouTube channel with over 94,000 subscribers and 13 million views. He taught classical guitar at the Victoria Conservatory of Music for 16 years and freelanced in Greater Victoria for 20 years and now dedicates much of his time curating content online and helping connect the classical guitar community. See more at his personal website.