Sixteenth Notes

Lesson 2/53 | Study Time: 5 Min
Sixteenth Notes

Sixteenth Notes

Sixteenth notes have half the value of eighth notes (a total of 16 notes per bar or 4 notes per beat). Sixteenth notes are very important in Rhythm and Blues, Funk and Rock. They can be counted as 1 e and ah, 2 e and ah, 3 e and ah, 4 e and ah.

Here are some typical groupings of sixteenth notes, combined with eighth notes and rests.

The following examples combine the previous sixteenth note rhythms. Try tapping your foot on each beat as you count. Listen to the recording carefully to help get the timing of these examples.

Start writing down any interesting rhythms you hear and make up parts and licks based on them. Once you get the hang of it, it's a lot of fun and an endless source of new ideas.

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