Eighth Note Rhythms
A large number of Rock songs are based on a rhythm of constant eighth notes, often played by the drummer on the hi-hat cymbals or the ride cymbal. Any other member of the band can create a part based on eighth notes and instantly connect with what the drummer is playing.
To play solo keyboards it is very important to have control of all rhythms because there is nobody else to keep time for you. Here are some eighth note studies to help you gain control of different placements of eighth notes within a bar.
In this example all the eighth notes are played off the beat. Playing off the beat creates an effect known as syncopation, which means displacing the normal flow of accents (usually from on the beat to off the beat). Syncopated rhythms can be difficult at first but are very common in Rock playing, so stick with it. Count and tap your foot to keep time as you play.
Here are some more examples of parts created by the use of eighth rhythms starting off the beat.
To finish off section 1, here is a 12 Bar Blues using all of the chord inversions you have learned up to this point. In this example there are off beat eighth notes played by the left hand in every second bar.
