Rhythm Counting Lesson 6

Sixteenth Notes

Section 6.1 - The sixteenth note

Section 6.2 - Groups of 4 sixteenth notes

RHYTHM PRACTICE SHEET 6.1

Section 6.3 - The sixteenth rest

RHYTHM PRACTICE SHEET 6.2

Section 6.4 - Eighth and 2 sixteenth notes

RHYTHM PRACTICE SHEET 6.3

Section 6.5 - 2 sixteenth/eighth note combination

RHYTHM PRACTICE SHEET 6.4

RHYTHM PRACTICE SHEET 6.5

Section 6.6 - sixteenth/eighth/sixteenth combination

RHYTHM PRACTICE SHEET 6.6

Section 6.7 - The dotted eighth note

RHYTHM PRACTICE SHEET 6.7

Section 6.1 - The sixteenth note

The next rhythm we are going to focus on is the sixteenth note. A sixteenth note looks like an eight note, but has 2 flags instead of one.

The sixteenth note receives ¼ of the beat, or ¼ of the pie for each beat.

When we count sixteenth notes, we use the syllables: 1 e + a

You can also use any four syllable word, like mashed potato or ravioli.

For now, we will stick with 1 e + a.

Section 6.2 - Groups of 4 sixteenth notes

We will begin learning how to count the sixteenth note with the easiest combination of 4 sixteenth notes at a time. Four sixteenth notes are equal to one beat.

We use the count number for the first sixteenth in a group of four.
The second 16th note will get the syllable “e”
The third 16th will get the syllable “+”
The fourth 16th will get the syllable “a”

There is a reason why the 3rd gets the syllable “+”. Because that sixteen occurs at the same time as the 2nd eighth note in a beat. That eighth note has the syllable “+”.

Let’s take a look at the following exercise:

Step 1: Begin with the first and second measures, which are a review for us:

Step 2: Complete the sixteenth measure:
-We always start with the number 1.
-The first beat has 4 sixteenth notes in it, so add the syllables.
-The second beat is the same as the first.

Step 3: Finish the final measures:

Let’s count and clap it together.

Now try this example on your own:

Check with the answer below:

RHYTHM PRACTICE SHEET 6.1

Section 6.3 - The sixteenth rest

The sixteenth rest kind of looks like the eighth rest, but has two pimples on its nose instead of one:

Sixteenth rests received ¼ beat of silence. You use the same counting method as with normal sixteenth notes, but you add parentheses because they are silent.

In the example above, you can see 16th rests mixed with 16th notes. Try to write in the counts for the first two measures. There are four beats in a measure.

Let’s practice:

RHYTHM PRACTICE SHEET 6.2

Section 6.4 - Eighth and 2 sixteenth notes

If music always had 4 sixteenth notes per beat, music would be boring.

Sixteenth notes can be mixed with other rhythms. A popular combination is taking two sixteenth notes and pairing them with an eighth note.

You have two options when this is done, you can start with an eighth, or with the 2 sixteenth notes.

It is very easy to get these two rhythms confused, especially if they are both used in a piece of music.

The eighth/2 sixteenth note rhythm will be counted as 1 + a. Let’s look at that in pie formation:

When you count a group of 4 sixteenth notes, the order is 1 e + a. So, if you begin with an eighth note, that eighth note equals 2 sixteenths (it’s all about math, people!). Therefore, you will fill in the 1 and e of the pie:

That will leave us with the + and a of the pie graph left. So, the last two sixteenths of the rhythm will be + a.

Let’s practice that rhythm:

Check your answer:

RHYTHM PRACTICE SHEET 6.3

Section 6.5 - 2 sixteenth/eighth note combination

The 2 sixteenth/eighth note combination would be counted as 1 e +. Let’s look at that in pie formation:

You will begin with 2 sixteenth notes, so those two will take up the syllables 1 and e.

That leaves you with the one eighth note. That eighth note equals the two sixteenth note sections that are left in the pie, so that eighth note will get the syllable +.

Let's practice:

RHYTHM PRACTICE SHEET 6.4

RHYTHM PRACTICE SHEET 6.5

Section 6.6 - sixteenth/eighth/sixteenth combination

The last combination of 2 sixteenths and an eight is when the eighth note is sandwiched in between two sixteenth notes:

When counting this rhythm, you would say “1 e a”

A good way to write the count so that you play it correctly would be “1 e-+ a”. That way you are subdividing and will not shortchange the eighth note.

This rhythm is a form of syncopation because you are accenting a weak part of the beat.

Take a look at the example below and add counts. There are two beats in a measure:

Check with the answer below:

RHYTHM PRACTICE SHEET 6.6

Section 6.7 - The dotted eighth note

Remember that when you add a dot to a rhythm, it adds half of the original value to the length. The dotted quarter note gets 1.5 beats, and the dotted half note gets 3 beats.

We can also add a dot to the eighth note. An eighth note gets 1/2 of a beat. So, we take that value, 1/2, and add half of it. 1/2 of 1/2 is 1/4. So 1/2 + 1/4 = 3/4. A dotted eighth note gets 3/4 of a beat.

A dotted eighth note is often paired with a sixteenth note. The most common way you would encounter the duo is with the dotted eighth note first, followed by the sixteenth note. When counting this rhythm, you would use the counting method 1-e-+ a.

In the first measure below, you can see the dotted eight note/sixteenth note combination and how it would be counted.

The second measure contains the other way you would see a dotted eighth note and sixteenth note combined. In this instance, the sixteenth note comes first. The counting for this rhythm would be 1 e-+-a.

Also, you might run into a dotted eighth rest. It is treated the same way that the dotted eighth note is in counting, you just need to add parentheses to the numbers.

Let's practice with the following example:

In the first measure, we do not encounter any dotted eighth notes. Fill in the counts for the first measure.

The second measure does have a dotted eighth note. It is the combination where the dotted eighth comes first. Remember, that dotted eighth is going to take up the number, e and the + part of the beat.

The third measure contains the other kind of dotted eighth note combination where the sixteenth comes first. That sixteenth will only consume the downbeat number of that count. The dotted eighth will have to take up the e-+-a portion. Fill in the counts.

And the final measure contains the sixteenth/dotted combination again. Complete the counts for the last measure.

Count and clap the rhythm.

RHYTHM PRACTICE SHEET 6.7

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