Lesson 14: Figuring out rhythm
Category: Lessons
So far we have learned about several different types of notes: whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, eighth notes, and sixteenth notes. There are a couple of methods for counting out rhythm using these notes. The first way is to count the beat using numbers. Take a look at the musical phrase below.
OK, so before you play, look at the time signature. The top number tells you how many beats to a measure. The bottom number tells you which note gets the beat. So, 4/4 time (or common time) will have 4 beats per measure, and the quarter note will get the beat. That means every time we get the equivalent of a quarter note we should be onto the next count. The phrase above would sound like this. One-Two-Three and Four and, One-Two-Three-Four and, One-ee-and-a-Two-Three-Four, One-Two-Three-Four. Keep a steady beat with your foot. Every number falls on the beat, so it should be in time with your foot. This is my favourite method of counting. It allows you to understand rhythm more thoroughly, while getting practice with time signatures.
Another method of counting is to have little phrases to say for different notes. Take a look at the phrases below.
Try to count the rhythm above using this method. It is up to you which method you choose. Choose the method that feels right to you. For more practice in counting rhythm, see the worksheet section.
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Posted on November 16th, 2008 by sharlene
3 Comments
August 25th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
[...] note. It makes things a little more difficult to count, but you can use the technique discussed in Lesson 14 (Figuring out rhythm). The eighth note is a black note with a stem and a flag. The flag can either be a fancy flag that [...]
October 26th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
i am happy I found this web site . I am an adult student, also a beginner and I find the lessons are extremely helpful. Thanks.
February 7th, 2010 at 6:22 am
Hello
Here’s another way to figure rhythm.
(be good if you can copy the next two lines to notepad and change the fint to a fixed widthone like courier or courie new)
| do bo dabadaba | du do daba | dibidibi bo bu | de |
1 2 3 + 4 + 12 3 4 + 1 e + a 3 3-4 1234
The upper line is the rhythm phrasing system I have used since 1989. I use this sytem for phrasing rhythm in tempo.
I use counting for music out of tempo, static measuring and analysis. In tempo counting is a no-no for me.
You’re very welcome to view this URL:
http://www.guitarteacher.net.nz/Rhythm/talking-straight-rhythms.html
that explains the counting system (which we all use) and the verbalising system (which I use).
I’d value your comment.
Kind regards