A tie is a curved line that connects two notes of the same pitch. The note is held for the value of both rhythms added together. (The second note is not played) In this example a half note is tied to a quarter note, equaling a value of 3 beats. The reason that a dotted half note is not used here is because you can't have more that 4 beats in a measure in 4/4 time, so you have to split the 3 beats between 2 measures.

Symbols used to indicate silence in music are called rests. When a rest is used the string of strings must be stopped from ringing for the indicated period of time. There are two ways that this can be achieved:

1. Place your right hand on the strings that need to be stopped.
2. Use your left hand fingers to stop the strings from ringing. If you are fretting a note lift your finger up so that is still touching the string but not pressing down against the fret.

Below is a catalog of the rhythms learned so far, including rests and rhythmic slashes.

 

Page 1, understanding rhythms part 1

part 2: eighth notes, dotted quarter notes