Quaver stems and beams: the rules

Which way quaver stems point, which side of the note they go, and how to beam quavers correctly in a 4/4 bar.

Single quavers

• Notes below the middle line: the stem goes up, on the right of the note.
• Notes above the middle line: the stem goes down, on the left of the note.
• Notes on the middle line can go either way.
• A single quaver's tail always goes on the right of the stem.

In the treble clef the middle line is B. In the bass clef it is D.

Beamed quavers

When quavers are joined by a beam, all their stems point the same way. The note furthest from the middle line decides the direction. If the notes are the same distance either side of the middle line, stems up and stems down are both correct. When the notes are at different pitches, the beam slopes to follow them.

Beaming in 4/4

• Beam quavers in groups that show the beats, so each beat is easy to see.
• Never beam across the middle of a 4/4 bar (from beat 2 into beat 3).
• Write a crotchet as a crotchet — don't hide it as two tied quavers.

Our Beam Builder game lets you practise by tapping between quavers to join them.