Sixteenth Notes
This is a sixteenth note.
It lasts for one quarter of a beat.
There are four sixteenth notes in one beat.
There are 16 sixteenth notes in one bar of * time.
Tap your foot on each beat and count mentally as you play.
Now try this example which contains sixteenth notes moving between two different notes. On the recording, the harp has been omitted on the repeat for you to play with the band.
This one uses 16th notes moving between three different notes. Learn it carefully and then play along with the recording.
A good way to gain control of any new rhythm or beat subdivision (in this case 16th notes) is to use it to play scales and sequences you are familiar with. This way you can concentrate solely on the timing. The following example demonstrates the C Major scale played in quarter, eighth and sixteenth notes. Practice it slowly with a metronome and tap your foot on each beat as you play. As you change between the subdivisions, remember that the notes get faster, but the beat remains in exactly the same place regardless of the subdivisions.
Once you are comfortable playing the scale in 16th notes, try playing some sequences using 16ths as shown here. Play slowly and evenly with a metronome, then gradually increase the tempos once you can do it perfectly.
Now try the following melodies which feature sixteenth notes along with other note values you learnt earlier in the book.
Often in songs you will find two sixteenth notes grouped together with an eighth note. The following example will help you gain control of these groupings.
This well known American folk song is sounds best when played quite fast, but before you try this it is essential to be able to play it with the correct timing, otherwise it loses it’s effectiveness. Take it very slowly at first and only increase the tempo (speed) when you can confidently play all the notes cleanly and evenly. Practice it with a metronome and increase the tempo a couple of notches at a time until you can play it with the recording.
Sixteenth notes are great for playing train rhythms, as demonstrated in the following example. Take this one slowly at first and tap your foot on each beat to help you keep time.
This Country flavored cross harp solo is a real challenge. It contains many sixteenth notes along with bends and grace notes using bends and slides. Listen to the CD and learn it one lick at a time if you have trouble with it.
