How to Read Music (Advanced Rhythm)

In this installment of Reading Music I will take you through the steps to reading more complex rhythms. We will cover the subdivisions of larger valued notes by making them smaller and with more notes.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Eyes
• Ears
• An open mind

1. Eight eighth notes The first thing we will discuss is the eighth note.
   
   Dividing a single quarter note in half will result in two eighth notes.
   
   The notes will take up the same amount of time as the quarter note, but will be played as two beats.
   
   So by counting four quarter notes with the left hand and eight eighth notes with the right hand, play four beats for each beat.
   
   Right hand: (1), 2 (2), 2 (3), 2 (4), 2
   Spoken: 1-and, 2-and, 3-and, 4-and
   Left hand: 1,2,3,4
   
   Note the ties neatly connecting two eighth notes together to span the length of a quarter note.
2. 16 sixteenth notes Next we will discuss the sixteenth note.
   
   Dividing a single eighth note in half will result in two sixteenth notes.
   
   The notes will take up the same amount of time as the eighth note, but will be played as two beats.
   
   So by counting four quarter notes with the left hand and 16 sixteenth notes with the right hand, play four beats for each beat.
   
   Right hand: (1), 2, 3, 4 (2), 2, 3, 4 (3), 2, 3, 4 (4), 2, 3, 4
   Spoken: 1-e-and-uh, 2-e-and-uh, 3-e-and-uh, 4-e-and-uh
   Left hand: 1,2,3,4
   
   Start slowly, then gradually speed up the tempo once you become comfortable with the rhythmic pattern.
3. Dotted half note and one quarter note In addition to these note durations there are also dotted notes.
   
   Dotted notes are notes that have a dot placed to the right of them. This means that the note is held for an additional duration equal to half of the duration of the note (or 50 percent) more.
   
   The example below depicts a measure of music with one dotted half note (equal to three quarter notes) and one quarter note.

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."