Rhythm notation and reading music. Learn how to read and write rhythms, get familiar with the different types of notes and rests, how long they all last and most importantly, what they all sound like. Suitable for candidates preparing for ABRSM Grade 1 music theory. Rhythm is one of the most important parts of modern music notation and is a fundamental part of music theory. Rhythmic lengths are usually represented by differences in the head or tail of a note. This music theory lesson will get you familiar with the most common types of notes, which are as follows. The Semibreve (also known as a Whole Note) which lasts for four beats, the Minim (also known as a Half Note) which lasts for two beats, the Crotchet (also known as a Quarter Note), the Quaver (also known as an Eighth Note) and finally the Semiquaver (also known as a Sixteenth Note). Notes can be lengthened by adding a dot after the note head, which increases the note's value by half. This allows us to have notes which last for say six beats, three beats and even notes that last one and a half beats. Each rhythmic value has an equivalent rest, representing a period of silence. All these elements together give us the basics of rhythm in music.