Basic counting
Just because there are a lot of dark notes with lots of beams doesn't mean it has to be fast. Look at the tempo markings (Allegro, Andante, Adagio, etc). Chances are, if it looks really black it is probably fairly slow.
Learn to play with a metronome (yes, the evil ticking machine is a great tool for learning to count steadily).
The Rule of the Dot
The dot adds half the value of the note it is next to. The kind of note determines the value of the dot.
Time Signatures
Notice at the top that it does not say a quarter note gets one beat. That is because this is not always true.
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Two beats per measure, quarter note gets one beat |
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Four beats per measure, quarter note gets one beat |
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Two beats per measure, half note gets one beat |
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Three beats per measure, half note gets one beat |
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Compound meter - six beats per measure, eighth note gets one beat OR two beats per measure, dotted quarter note gets one beat |
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Compound meter - nine beats per measure, eighth note gets one beat OR three beats per measure, dotted quarter note gets one beat |
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Compound meter - twelve beats per measure, eighth note gets one beat OR four beats per measure, dotted quarter note gets one beat |
Tempo Indications You Need to Know
This is just a start. There are many other descriptive words to describe tempo, style and mood. The most common language for this terminology is Italian, but French and German are also quite common. Get a pocket dictionary of musical terms. There are many good ones available.