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.
As with other beat subdivisions (e.g., eighth notes and triplets) it is important to be able to play all your scales using sixteenth notes, as this will enable you to play melodies containing sixteenth notes with greater control. Here is the D melodic minor scale and a sequence pattern created from it.
Here are some examples which feature the use of sixteenth notes. Take them slowly at first and count as you play. Tap your foot on each beat and remember that there are four sixteenth notes per beat.
This one demonstrates some typical Bluegrass runs. Mandolin is commonly used in Bluegrass, and often these type of runs are improvised during solos. Learn this example and then make up some variations on the runs shown here.
Dotted Eighth Notes
Another common sixteenth note timing is when a sixteenth note is played after a dotted eighth note, i.e.,
The dot placed after the eighth note lengthens the note by half its value. The dotted eighth note is equivalent to the duration of three sixteenth notes, i.e.,
Here is a popular South American folk song which moves between the key of D minor and F major which are relative keys. It features the dotted eighth note figure shown in the previous diagram. Notice the rit symbol at the end indicating a gradual slowing down of the tempo. There is no Tab here, but you know all the notes, so it shouldn’t be too hard to play.
