In this lesson we learn to count rhythm. We begin by studying duration and meter symbols and culminate with hands-on rhythm exercises.
Note Duration and Meter Signatures | Professor Frary (6:09)
Note Durations
Begin by memorizing the symbols and names of note durations. Stems may point up or down for the same duration.
Fraction Cake
Remember the fraction cake from grade school? You learned that four quarters equal a whole, two quarters equal a half, two eighths equal a quarter, etc.
Fraction Cake | A cake with one quarter (1/4) removed. | Wikimedia Commons
Names and values of note durations are derived from fractions. For example, a quarter note is half as long as a half note. The chart below illustrates the "fraction cake" relationship between note values: whole note equals the entire cake, two half notes equal a whole, four quarter notes equal a whole, etc.
Beams replace the flag in groups of eighth note or shorter durations.
Measures
The staff is divided into groups of beats called measures. Measures are separated by a vertical line called a bar line. A double bar line signifies the end of a section.
Each measure contains a pattern of stressed and unstressed beats corresponding to the number of beats in the meter.
Meter Signature
Three different meters are used in this course:
Duple meter, two beats in a strong-weak pattern, 1-2 (e.g., 2/4)
Triple meter, three beats in a strong-weak-weak pattern, 1-2-3 (e.g., 3/4)
Quadruple meter, four beats in a strong-weak-secondary strong-weak pattern, 1-2-3-4 (e.g., 4/4).
To indicate meter, a meter signature (or time signature) is placed at the beginning of the score, immediately after the clef symbol or key signature:
The top number of the meter signature is both the meter and number of beats in a measure. For example, 3 on top indicates triple meter and 3 beats per measure.
The bottom number of the meter signature is the note value equal to 1 beat. Thus, the 4 on the bottom designates the quarter note as equal to 1 beat.
Note Values in Beats
Now that you know the quarter note is equal to 1 beat, calculate other note durations using proportions derived from fractions. For example, if a quarter note equals 1 beat, a half note equals 2 beats, a whole note equals 4 beats, etc.
The most practical approach is to simply memorize beat values. These note durations are valid for quarter note meters such as 2/4, 3/4 and 4/4:
Even if you plan to read tablature, memorize the duration values listed above and you'll be able to play any piece in this textbook using TAB for pitches and fingering, and note values for rhythm.
Study Questions
1. What does this meter signature tell the player?
2. How many beats does this note receive? [answers]
Counting Rhythm
Next, practice counting simple rhythms. For note durations equal to the beat or longer, count the meter aloud as you clap or play the rhythms. For example, count 1-2-3-4 in 4/4 meter, 1-2-3 in 3/4 meter and 1-2 in 2/4 meter. Align note durations with the numbers as you count.
Each audio track has a metronome countdown and the musical exercise repeats three times. Watch the video, clap or play along and take Exercise A out for a spin.
Da Beat Thing "How to" Video | Peter Kun Frary (3:40)
Counting Example A | Count 1-2 aloud as you clap the rhythms. This example is Exercise A on the next page.
Counting Division
When a beat is divided into two equal parts the rhythm is called division. To count division, say “and” between beat numbers. When spoken evenly, these syllables create the rhythm of division. Division is notated as eighth notes in quarter note meters such as 2/4, 3/4 and 4/4. Let's count through quarter and eighth notes:
Division Counting | Speak the beat numbers or words as you clap the beat.
Rhythm Words
Words create rhythms when spoken while clapping the beat. In the above exercise, a one-syllable word, eat, represents quarter notes (equal to the beat), and a two-syllable, su-shi, simulates eighth notes (division of the beat).
Need help understanding rhythm and counting? Ask questions in class or email for a Zoom or office appointment and we'll help you understand.
On the next page we will apply your new knowledge with five rhythm exercises from Da Beat Thing.
Answers
1. 2/4 is duple meter: 2 beats per measure and a quarter note equals 1 beat.
2. The whole note receives 4 beats in 4/4 meter.
Download this worksheet for more practice recognizing note durations:
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Note Durations
Measures
Meter Signature
Note Values in Beats
Counting Rhythm
Counting Division
Rhythm Words
Answers
