A rest stands for a silence in music. For each kind of note, there is a written rest of the same length.

figure 2. 3. a

Rest Value Chart

Note length.png

figure 2. 3. b

Rests don't necessarily mean that there is silence in the music at that point; only that that part is silent. Often, on a staff with multiple parts, a rest must be used as a placeholder for one of the parts, even if a single person is playing both parts. When the rhythms are complex, this is necessary to make the rhythm in each part clear.

Rest

figure 2. 3. c

Rest Pyramid

Rest pyramid

figure 2. 3. d