Piano/Rests

In this diagram are shown the seven different types of rests used in musical notation for pianos.

1. The rest with the 1 underneath is known as a big rest. This name is easily remembered with the fact that the rest drops under the line on the staff, making it a "hole". This rest takes up an four beats of music, the size of the standard measure.

2. The rest with the 1/2 underneath is known as a half rest. It consists of two beats, generally half a measure.

3. The rest with the 1/4 underneath it is a quarter rest. It consists of one beat, or one fourth of a standard measure.

4. The rest with the 1/8 underneath is known as an eighth rest. it consists of 1/2 of a beat, or 1/8 of a standard measure.

5. 1/16 – 16th rest; 1/4 of a beat, 1/16 of a measure

6. 1/32 – 32nd rest. rarely used. 1/8th of a beat, 1/32 of a measure

7. 1/64 – 64th rest. rarely used. 1/16 of a beat, 1/64 of a measure.

The 1/32 rest and 1/64 rest are rarely used in most pieces, with the exception of some slow pieces or pieces with irregular time signatures.