Rhythm Counting Review (4/4 Basics)

Rhythm Counting Review

"A right note at the wrong time is a wrong note."

Being able to count an accurate rhythm is just as, if not more, important than playing the right pitches.

Time Signatures

• The top note tells us how many beats are in each measure.

• The bottom note tells us what kind of note gets the beat.

• In four-four time, there are four beats in the measure, and a quarter note gets the beat.

The Whole Note

In a measure of four-four, a whole note takes up the whole measure. That's four beats!

The Half Note

In a measure of four-four, a half note takes up half of the measure. This means that it gets two beats! Two half notes are equal to one whole note.

The Quarter Note

An essential in any time signature! In four-four, a quarter note takes up one quarter of the measure. That means it gets one beat! This is the note that gets the beat in a time signature with a 4 on the bottom.

The Eighth Note

In four-four, the eighth note is one eighth of the measure. This means that it gets half of a beat. You'll see eighth notes two ways: beamed or flagged. Can you tell which is which?

Multiple Choice

What kind of note gets two beats?

• Whole Note

• Half Note

• Quarter Note

• Eighth Note

Multiple Choice

I have a half note and a quarter note. How many beats do they cover when combined?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Multiple Choice

In four-four, what kind of note gets the beat?

• Whole Note

• Half Note

• Quarter Note

• Eighth Note

Multiple Select

What does an eighth note look like? (Select ALL right answers)

Now, how do we count these notes?

It's simple! We'll start by dividing the measure into four beats...

If you see something like this...

it means a beat of silence! When clapping and counting, hold your hands out for this beat.

Try clapping and counting this rhythm!

Multiple Choice

Which beats should you clap on for this rhythm?

• 1-and-2-and-3-and-4-and

• 1 2 3 4

• 1 2-and 3 4-and

• 1 2 3 4 5 6

• 1 and 2 and

Clap and count this rhythm!

Multiple Choice

Which beats should you clap on for this rhythm?

• 1-and 2 3-and 4

• 1-and 2 4-and

• 1 2 3 4 5

• 1-and 2-and 3-and 4-and