6 ‘Super Easy’ Steps To Teach Half Notes

When you look at a piece of music you will see that there are a variety of notes, that have stems, do not have stems, are simple outlines or those that are joined together with beams. 

Each of these elements such as stems, and beams signify the value of the notes and kids need to understand how to decipher and identify the difference. 

Today, I’m going to explain how you can introduce ‘Half Notes’ to your kids in six easy steps. 

Once you are done reading the post, don’t forget to download the printable that I have made available  so you can reinforce their learning.

Show And Tell

Yes, it is as simple as that. Just show a flashcard with a Half 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 an outlined notepad with a stem is called a Half Note. 

Introduce The Alternate Names

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

Clapping And Counting

Now that your child can identify the note and knows both its names, it is time to explain that a Half Note/Minim consists of 2 beats. 

This means when played on the piano, you play the note, and hold it down for 2 beats. 

You count 1, 2. 

If clapping, you clap once and say 2 (the clap is the first beat), before you clap for the next note. 

Writing The Note

Next, you show your child how to write a Half 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. 

Teach him/her the stem rules. 

Identifying Half 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 Half Notes. 

On The Keyboard

Now have your child play Half Notes, for this you can simply draw a treble or bass staff on a piece of paper and write out a few Half Notes on different lines and spaces and have your child read the notes, play them and count two beats for each note. 

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 Half Notes), have your child play Middle C, hold it down and count to 2, then play the next Middle C, hold down the note and count to 2 and so on. 

So what do you think? 

Can you introduce the Half Note to your child today, with these six easy steps? 

Don’t forget to download the printable that I have included.