An eighth rest note is a symbol used in musical notation to indicate a silence or pause for 1/8 of a measure. It looks like a stylized Z rotated 90 degrees clockwise. Understanding what an eighth rest note looks like and how it functions is important for reading and writing sheet music correctly. In this article, we will provide a quick overview of eighth rest notes, examine what they look like, and explain how they are used in musical scores.
What is an Eighth Rest Note?
In written music, rests are used to denote periods of silence. An eighth rest indicates a silence for the same duration as an eighth note, which is half as long as a quarter note. The length of an eighth rest will depend on the time signature being used. For example, in 4/4 time, a quarter note gets one beat. So an eighth note gets half of a beat, and an eighth rest also represents half of a beat of silence.
Rests serve an important rhythmic function in music notation. They indicate when a performer should pause rather than play a note. Rests help the music to retain its rhythm and tempo even during periods of silence. Understanding the correct duration of rests is critical when reading and performing music.
What Does an Eighth Rest Look Like?
Here is what an eighth rest note looks like:
An eighth rest is notated as a stylized Z rotated 90 degrees clockwise. Thecurlicue shape differentiates it from other rests which use straight lines.
Sometimes the eighth rest symbol is simplified to a straight line tilted at an angle:
But the classic curly Z shape is the standard and most common way to write an eighth rest.
Different Types of Rests
Here are some other common rest symbols for comparison:
| Rest Type | Symbol |
|---|---|
| Whole Rest | |
| Half Rest | |
| Quarter Rest | |
| Eighth Rest | |
| Sixteenth Rest |
As you can see, the eighth rest has a distinct Z shape that sets it apart from other rest durations. Whole and half rests use straight horizontal lines. Quarter rests are straight vertical lines. Sixteenth rests add another curve or hook to the eighth rest shape.
How do you use Eighth Rests?
Eighth rests are used according to their rhythmic value. Again, an eighth rest indicates a silence for half as long as a quarter note. Here are some ways eighth rests may be used:
– To separate small groups of notes within a measure. For example, two eighth notes followed by an eighth rest.
– After dotted rhythms. A dotted quarter note tied to an eighth note is a common pattern that is often followed by an eighth rest.
– In compound time signatures like 6/8 time where the eighth note gets the beat. Eighth rests would represent pauses of one beat.
– As a pickup rest at the beginning of a new phrase or passage. This provides a moment of silence between musical ideas.
– To represent rests between notes in faster rhythmic values like sixteenth notes or thirty-second notes. Eighth rests can subdivide those quicker note values.
– To provide punctuation or breathing room within a long melodic line.
Examples of Eighth Rests in Sheet Music
Here are some excerpts from sheet music that contain eighth rest symbols:
In this example, you can see eighth rests separating the groupings of eighth notes.
Here the eighth rests follow dotted quarter notes tied to eighth notes at the end of the measure.
This excerpt is in 6/8 time where the eighth notes get one beat each. The eighth rests represent one beat of pause in the rhythm.
Conclusion
An eighth rest note represents a brief period of silence for an eighth of a measure. It is notated using a stylized Z shape rotated 90 degrees clockwise. Eighth rests can separate small note groupings, follow dotted rhythms, subdivide beats in compound time, or provide punctuation within a phrase. Understanding how to read and properly use eighth rests is an important musical skill. Now that you know what an eighth rest symbol looks like, you can more easily navigate and perform the rhythms in sheet music containing eighth rests.