Bar Lines
Music is divided into bars, or measures, by bar lines. In the first song there are two bars of music. Each bar contains four quarter notes.
The Four Four Time Signature
These two numbers are called the four four time signature.
They are placed after the treble clef.
The * time signature tells you there are four beats in each bar. There are four quarter notes in a bar of * time.
This song contains four bars of quarter notes in * time. Once again, practice this song pizzicato as well as arco (with the bow).
The Note B
The note B is written on the third line of the staff. The stem for the note B can go up or down, because it is on the middle line of the staff.
To play the note B, use the first finger of your left hand as shown in the diagram above. You should use the tip of your finger to hold down the string.
This song uses the note B along with the note A. Play it pizzicato first and then arco.
The Half Note
This is a half note. It lasts for two beats. There are two half notes in one bar of * time.
This song contains four bars of half notes using the notes A and B. Alternate the bowing directions as shown above the notation. Half notes are played with a slower bow stroke than quarter notes.
