Grade 2: Rhythm
These questions focus on note values, bar lengths, rests, and time signatures. Grade 2 adds semiquavers and simple time with a minim beat. Ported from the ABRSM Grade 2 question bank (musicapp/Legato).
- Read time signatures and bar lengths, including semiquavers.
- Work with simple time using a minim beat.
- Recognize correct and incorrect rest values.
Worksheet
Select the correct time signature for the bar.
Answer: ______________________
Select the correct time signature for the bar.
Answer: ______________________
Select the correct time signature for the bar.
Answer: ______________________
How many semiquavers are there in a dotted crotchet?
Answer: ______________________
How many crotchets are there in a semibreve?
Answer: ______________________
Select which of these bars is grouped correctly.
Answer: ______________________
Identify which of the following shows the bar above correctly rewritten in notes of half the value.
Answer: ______________________
Answer Key
- 3/8 — The bar is a quaver followed by four semiquavers, which totals a dotted crotchet — three quaver beats, so 3/8.
- 4/2 — A dotted minim (3) + three crotchets (3) + a minim (2) totals eight crotchets, i.e. four minim beats — 4/2.
- 3/4 — A crotchet, a triplet of quavers (one beat), and a crotchet make three crotchet beats — 3/4.
- 6 — A dotted crotchet equals a crotchet plus a quaver = 1½ crotchets = six semiquavers.
- 4 — A semibreve lasts four crotchet beats.
- option 3 — In 4/4 the quavers should be beamed in two groups of four so the middle of the bar is clear; a beam must not cross the mid-bar.
- option 3 — Halving every value turns the four quavers into four semiquavers and the two crotchets into two quavers, giving a 2/4 bar.
1. Select the correct time signature for the bar.
2. Select the correct time signature for the bar.
3. Select the correct time signature for the bar.
4. How many semiquavers are there in a dotted crotchet?
5. How many crotchets are there in a semibreve?
6. Select which of these bars is grouped correctly.
7. Identify which of the following shows the bar above correctly rewritten in notes of half the value.