In musical notation, there are rules in regards to the way you group notes and rests. These rules make it easier for musicians to read rhythms more easily.
Note Groupings
Quavers (also called eighth notes) should be grouped to form single beats. In figure 1, the quavers are divided clearly in beats 2 and 3 of the bar.
Figure 2 is in triple metre. Notice how all three beats (made up of two quavers each) are clearly written. That is, you can tell by looking at the music where each beat starts and ends.
Exceptions to the rule
Exception 1:
In 2/4 and 4/4, four quavers next to each other are joined together by a beam. Figure 3 (see below) shows 4 quavers grouped together in 2/4 time.
However, in 4/4, this is only done if the 4 quavers are in the 1st and 2nd beats of the bar (see figure 4) or in the 3rd and 4th beats of the bar (see figure 5).
Therefore, if a piece of music in 4/4 has 4 quavers in beats 2 and 3 of the bar, these should not be joined together. (see figure 6)
Exception 2:
In 3/4, four or six quavers are joined together by a beam. Figure 7 demonstrates how four quavers are grouped together in 3/4.
Figure 8, demonstrates the correct way to write groups of six quavers in 3/4.
Rests
The basic rule with writing rests is to write a rest for each beat. Figure 9 below demonstrates this:
However, there are exceptions to this rule:
Exception 1:
In 4/4, you use a minim rest for the 3rd and 4th beats of a bar (see figure 10).
Exception 2:
Likewise, in 4/4, use a minim rest on the 1st and 2nd beats of the bar (see figure 11).
You do not use a minim rest on beats 2 and 3. Instead you use two crotchet rests. Figure 12 below demonstrates this.
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