This guide is in English. The linked activity or Scratch project uses Japanese.
Add note and rest values
Explore the lengths of notes and rests
Updated: 30 June 2025
Use these activities to practise the durations of musical notes and rests.
How it works
- Choose the correct note or rest to see [〇]; an incorrect answer shows [✕]. This is a simple multiple-choice quiz.
- Two activity settings
- Without dotted values
- With dotted values(introduced in September 2021)
Who can use it?
- Learners exploring durations before formal work with fractions and decimals
- Anyone who wants to practise note durations and rhythm
- Learners connecting halves and quarters with musical sounds
Comparing note lengths offers a concrete way to explore a half, a quarter and half of a half.
We hope repeated practice helps learners understand the durations represented by notes.
🌟 Simple symbols
Clear symbols make it easy to choose an answer.
🌟 The displayed symbols vary
A little variety supports repeated practice.
🌟 Large, easy-to-tap buttons
Designed for use on tablets and touchscreens too.
Where can this learning help?
✨ Practise keeping a rhythm
Understanding note and rest durations can support clapping patterns and playing together.
✨ Explore fractions through music
Compare a note with half or a quarter of a whole note to connect music with fractions.
✨ Listen closely and explore expression
Notice differences in rhythm and try using them in your own music.
Development notes
These images show early drafts of the activity screen.
Behind the scenes
Compared with the original screen design…
The finished activity looks much like the first design, with a small change to the button shapes.
We hope to add more activities for exploring rhythm.
Have an idea? Share it in the comments below or through our contact page (Japanese).