How to Count a Sixteenth Rest

Sixteenth rests, or semiquaver rests, look similar to eighth rests but have an extra flag. Four sixteenth notes are equal to one quarter note, just as four sixteenth rests equal one quarter rest. The duration of a sixteenth rest is the same as a sixteenth note but instead of a note being played, there is silence. Sixteenth rests are short, and learning to properly count them takes practice.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Use a 2/4 time signature while learning to count sixteenth notes. This time signature indicates that that the quarter note sets the beat and there are two beats per measure.

2. Practice counting the sixteenth notes in a measure as "one-e-and-a, two-e-and-a." Each count must be the same length as the one before and after it.

3. Play your instrument on "one" and release the note on "e."

4. Refrain from playing your instrument through the count of "e," and then play it again on "and."

5. Release the note on "a."

6. Sound your instrument again on "two," release the note on "e," play your instrument again on "and." Release on "a."

7. Repeat steps 2 through 6 until you are comfortable counting sixteenth notes and rests.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are having trouble counting sixteenth rests, play some measures with all sixteenth notes. Once you get the hang of playing sixteenth notes, replace every other note with a sixteenth rest.
• Metronomes can help you keep the beat, but once you master sixteenth rests with a metronome, you should learn to observe them without one. Counting out loud or in your head will help.