Let's try the first two measures. We'll follow the directional marking and play the introduction three times. The techniques that you are using in the introduction are the key to practicing the rest of the song. If you can hold notes over, it's usually correct to do so.

This music is written in 3/4 meter and begins with an anacrusis on beat 3, so the music clock for this song will display three numbers. The clock will also display the '&' symbol, since there are eighth notes in the music.

'Amazing Grace' is written in 3\4 meter, so there are three beats in a measure, but the first measure is incomplete. Because beats 1 and 2 are missing, the music begins with an anacrusis on beat number 3, so the count will start on beat number 3. Since the smallest note duration present is the eighth note, the count will include eighth note values. Counting the meter in this song follows this pattern: 3 & 1 & 2 &

A whole note is written as a clear note head with no stem. A whole note has a duration of 4 beats.