Quarter Notes

To begin understanding note values, we will define a measure of common time as a measure completely filled by 4 quarter notes. Think of a dollar bill. Then every quarter note value would be worth 25 cents. If you ask someone for change for a dollar, then you would expect them to give you exactly four quarters.
Counting is as important to the drummer as actually playing the drums; playing can not happen efficiently without counting. For example, to count this set of four quarter notes in one measure of common time, we assign one number to each quarter note value.


Since every quarter note value is the same, and every value demands the same amount of time, it is important to count slowly and evenly to guarantee even spacing.
A quarter note rest, as shown below, is a way of reserving a quarter note worth of time without playing anything. Think of rests as space holders. We count quarter note rests just like quarter notes, but do not play anything for the rest.

All combinations of quarter notes and quarter note rests are possible, so long as no more and no less than four quarter note values are placed in a single measure of common time.