When playing more complex music, it is common to find beats subdivided into four. This is done by using sixteenth notes. Mastering sixteenth notes will enable you to play more sophisticated rhythms as well as being able to play faster.
A sixteenth note 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.
Two sixteenth notes joined together.
Four sixteenth notes joined together.
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).
Once you are comfortable counting sixteenth notes on one note, try the following pattern, which will help your picking technique.