How to Read Music (Rhythm)

In this installment of Reading Music I will take you through the steps to reading rhythms like a champ. If you are able to handle simple arithmetic then reading musical rhythms should be just as easy.

So get your groove thang on and let's get started.

There are many different note durations. The simplest and most common are:

Whole Note
Half Note
Quarter Note

It can become more complex with other note subdivisions, but will keep it simple for now.

Things You'll Need

• Eyes
• Ears
• An open mind

Instructions

1. 

   The photo below depicts the note value given to a whole note. The duration is equal to four quarter notes.

   The time signature (4/4) will dictate the notes played.

   For instance if we had a time signature of 3/4 a whole note would not fit. We would need to resort to using a half note and a quarter note.

   If you were you tap this out on your leg it would provide little gratification, though you will be on your way to understanding the rhythmic value of this note.

   While tapping four equal beats with your right leg with your right hand tap one beat on your left leg with your left hand. The beat you play with your right hand should land on beat one.

   You can think of it like this:

   Right hand: 1, 2, 3, 4
   Left hand: 1

   Continue the repetition for a couple of bars.

   You just performed you first rhythmic passage. And you were able to read it too!

2. 

   Here we have a two half notes which, you guessed it, equals four quarter notes (4/4)

   Can you guess what happens next.

   Continuing with the same physical activity tap two half notes out like this:

   Right hand: 1, 2, 3, 4
   Left hand: 1 2

3. 

   Next up we have four quarter notes.

   So in counting four quarter notes with the right hand and the obvious four quarter notes with the left hand the beats will fall together simultaneously.

   Right hand: 1, 2, 3, 4
   Left hand: 1,2,3,4

Tips & Warnings

• Try speeding up and slowing down the tempo, while tapping these rhythms on your legs. The important thing is to ensure consistency in your "performance". Maintain the rhythm and you are now a bona-fide drummer.

• If your legs begin to sting and turn red then perhaps it's time to take a break. Don't hurt yourself.