The following example contains another rhythm figure using dotted quarter notes. The eighth note is played first and the dotted quarter note is played off the beat. This creates an effect known as syncopation, which means displacing the normal flow of accents, usually from on the beat to off the beat. Practice it slowly at first and count carefully as you play.
This symbol is a quarter rest. It indicates one beat of silence.
The use of eighth rests on the beat is a common way of achieving syncopated rhythms. Practice this example slowly with a metronome and count out loud as you play. Remember to stop the strings sounding with your right hand each time a rest occurs.
Here is another example which makes use of eighth rests.