Note Values

This lesson will cover note values and the division of notes. If you’ve gone through my other lessons on reading drum music, then you have already familiarized yourself with the staff, notes and symbols found in drum sheet music.

If you haven’t done so yet, be sure to take the time to review those concepts using the related drum lessons at the bottom of this page.

Also, if you’re not a drummer, stick around. The value of notes is the same whether you’re a piano player, guitarist, or drummer.

Note Divisons

The above diagram shows how music notes are divided. You’ll see this picture or one similar in just about every drumming or entry level music book on the market.

The largest note is the whole note. It gets the full count of a measure. But, what is the count of a measure?

Measures are defined by beats and beats are assigned a value based on the type of note. Below are the most common notes you’ll come across while reading drum music. I haven’t included 32nd notes, since this is a beginner drum lesson. You probably won’t be reading these for awhile.

Note Values

Quarter notes are the most common way to count a measure, with 4/4 being the most common time signature in popular music. Learn more about Time Signatures.

As you can see above, each quarter note is counted 1-2-3-4. That is the length of your measure. Pretty simple right? Try reading it aloud along with a metronome. If you can keep your count consistent with the metronome, then you’ve got rhythm.



The 8th note divides each quarter note in half. It is counted 1-and-2-and-3-and-4-and. You may see the “and” represented as “&” or “+” depending on the transcriber.

Again try reading out loud along with a metronome. Don’t have one, try this free Online Metronome.



Sixteenth notes divide each 8th note in half. They are counted 1-E-&-A-2-E-&-A-3-E-&-A-4-E-&-A. The A is pronounced “uh” while the E makes the long “eeeee” sound.

Once again, read this out loud with your metronome. Be sure to use the same tempo on all three exercises, so you can get a feel for how the notes are simply divisions of other notes.





Related Drum Lessons:

Quarter Notes
Musical Staff

Return To
How To Read Drum Music