6 ‘Ridiculously Simple’ Steps To Teach Quarter Notes

When you look at a piece of sheet music, I’m sure you’ve noticed that noteheads vary greatly. While some are just noteheads that are outlined, others are outlined noteheads with stems and still others are solid black noteheads with stems, flags and some are even beamed together. 

So what does this mean?

Each of these elements signifies the type and value of the note and learning to decipher the difference is very important. 

Therefore, today I will be explaining how you can introduce ‘Quarter Notes’ to your kids in the homeschool in just six ridiculously simple steps. 

I have also included a printable to go with this post, so don’t forget to download it once you are done reading. 

Show And Tell

Simple isn’t it?

Just show a flashcard with a Quarter Note, or draw it out on a paper or white board or simply point it out on a piece of sheet music and tell your child that a solid black note with a stem (and no additional elements like a flag) is called a Quarter Note. 

Other Names

Now tell your child that while in North America we call this type of note, a ‘Quarter Note’, in other parts of the world, especially in Asia and Europe the note is called a Crotchet. 

Clapping And Counting

Now that your child can identify the note and knows both its names, it is time to explain that a Quarter Note/Crotchet consists of 1 beat. 

This means when played on the piano, you play the note, and hold it down for 1 beat. 

You count 1. 

If clapping, you clap once and then move to the next note. 

Writing The Note

Next, you show your child how to write a Quarter Note on a line, and in a space, as well as over the stave, hanging from the stave, as Middle C and ledger line notes. 

This would also be a good time to teach your child the stem rules.

Identifying Quarter Notes

Now, show your child some sheet music (if you don’t have any handy, use the sheet music in the printable I have made available) and ask your child to identify all the Quarter Notes. 

On The Keyboard

Now have your child play Quarter Notes. 

For this you can simply draw a treble or bass staff on a piece of paper and write out a few Quarter Notes on different lines and spaces and have your child read the notes. 

If your child cannot read music notes as yet, you can still have your child play Middle Cs. 

For this you need to draw about three Middle Cs on a paper (as Quarter Notes), have your child play Middle C, hold it down for just 1 beat, then play the next Middle C, hold down the note for a beat and so on. 

Easy enough don’t you think?

Make sure you download the printable included so you can reinforce the concepts taught here.