The Sixteenth Note
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.
When counting 16th notes, notice the different sound for each part of the beat – one ee and ah, two ee and ah... etc (written 1 e + a, 2 e + a... etc).
As with any new note value, it is important to practice your scales using 16th notes until you are comfortable with them. Here is the C major scale played in sixteenth notes over four octaves. Take it slowly at first, and remember to use your metronome and count out loud as you play.
This traditional American folk song features several 16th note passages. Although many of the eighth notes are played staccato, all the 16th notes should be played legato. Practice each hand separately until you are comfortable with both parts and then put them together. If you have trouble co-ordinating the two hands, practice one bar at a time very slowly and only increase the speed when you can play the whole piece.
