Rest Shapes
In music theory, rests are symbols which tell you to stop playing, and how long to stop for. Rests come in different shapes depending on how long they last for, just like notes do. Rests take the same names as the notes of the same length.
Crotchet (Quarter) Rests
Crotchet rest = 1 beat of silence.
The crotchet rest isn’t easy to draw. I suggest starting with a “z” then continuing with a “c” underneath!
Quaver (8th) Rests
Quaver rest = 1/2 beat of silence.
The quaver rest looks a bit like a number 7, with a “blob” at the top.
Semiquaver (16th) Rests
NB semiquaver rests are introduced at grade 2 on the Trinity syllabus.
Semiquaver rest = 1/4 beat of silence
The semiquaver rest looks a lot like the quaver rest, but it’s got 2 tails, just like the semiquaver note note has.
Minim (Half) Rests
Minim rest = 2 beats of silence
The minim rest is a small black block. The minim rest sits on the middle line of the staff.
Semibreve (Whole) Rests
Semibreve rest = 4 beats of silence, or a whole bar of silence worth any number of beats.
Rests Exercises
1. Next to each note, write a rest that has the same time value.
2. Add the rests together, to make a new rest.
