Why didn't someone tell me??

[BalmySwitchMan]

Hi, I'm new to this so please bear with me. I'm another one of those people whom on a whim, will try something new. This year for my Christmas present, I got myself a new Mark II acoustic guitar. Good for me, right??!!! Now here is my problem. I have never in my life, had any musical lessons or played any music instrument, besides the banging on the piano we all do as kids and think we're Beethoven!!

Any help from you will be greatly appreciated. I have a couple questions here.
1) What is a whole note, a half note and a quarter note?
2) I'm confused about beats, what are they and how are they related or relative to rhythm notations (whole, half and quarter notes)

I guess these two questions will do for now. I think once I get these questions answered, I'll be well on my way to learning to play my guitar. Thanks in advance for all your help.:D

[Phil]

Well, i'm beginning too, but i'd say that if you've never played an instrument or even had a lesson before then maybe you don't have the basic knowledge to understand the answers to those questions. I woud suggest going to the first fret section of this site and starting from the very beginning. That way when you get to the stage of learning half and quarter notes you'll be better able to grasp it.

[Krieselman13]

Id have to agree with the dude who posted before me. Got to the 1st fret, you will learn the measly basics. Also, check out the other lessons too. Go to www.wholenote.com and check out all the beginner lessons there. People on both this site and thayt one will help you a LOT. Well, just thought Id try to help.

[eische]

Well, because it is the New Year (a happy happy one and success for the coming days and month to all of you writers here, by the way :D ) I'd like to write a little novel about notes (like I learned the thing in primary school;) ):

Your having a party and the table is set for four guests (on the notation lines the table is a division made by a vertical line across all the other lines, every step as following now takes the same time of your presence at the table).

You made a cake covered in a lot of yummy white icing. So you have one cake in one piece on the table, lasting long enough for all of the four party-guests. It is shown as a round, white, whole note (one time(stroke) of four beats; 1x4=4).

Now you cut the cake in two halfs. The icing remains untouched so far and the cake (note) appears still white. The knive you use for that is added to the note as a line up- or downwards. Every piece will serve two party-guests (two times of two beats; 2x2=4).

Still, you want each of your guest have a piece of his/her own. So you cut the cake again and the knive apears on the note as a line like before. But now the icing is damaged and the filling pours out, so the cake is no longer white - you see a black note. Each party-guest now has his/her share (four times of one beat; 4x1=4).

And as a guitar always just gives a »pling« and then wears off, you may find the next step useful:

Your guests are not so widemouthed and prefer to have their cake in handy pieces. So you pick up the knive again and cut each quarter in two. The cake is now quite weak and would fall into crumbs unless you use a server in addition. Like the knive as a line you see that server as a flag aside the black note. Now your party-guests will have one bite and a second helping (eight times of a half beat, counted like one and (helping), two and, three and, four and; 4x(1/2+1/2)=4) and all are happy ever after........

....hope you find that as helpful and amusing as I did as a kid in school......good luck

[BalmySwitchMan]

Thanks to all who replied me. I will try out the first fret section and all other suggested sites. Thanks again. You will all be invitesd to my first gig!!!!;)