Note Grouping & Beaming
How notes are joined and grouped within a bar so the beat stays easy to read at a glance.
Explainer
When quavers and semiquavers occur together, their flags are joined into a solid beam to make the beat easier to read at a glance.
In simple time (like 4/4), notes are usually beamed in groups that add up to one beat — so two quavers sharing a beam equal one crotchet beat.
Good beaming shows the beat, even in a busy rhythm — a performer should be able to see where beat 1, 2, 3 and 4 fall just from the beams.
Worked examples
Example 1
Two quavers, one beam
Two beamed quavers equal exactly one crotchet beat.
Example 2
Four semiquavers, one beam
Four beamed semiquavers also equal one crotchet beat.
Example 3
Grouping across a bar of 4/4
A busy bar is usually beamed in four groups — one per beat — so the pulse stays easy to see.