Place two equal subdivisions inside each beat without allowing the main pulse to speed up.
The second half of the beat is often played late at first and then rushed to reach the next numbered count. Your goal for this lesson is clear: Can you remove the played notes and keep saying the subdivisions at exactly the same speed?
Two sounds inside one beat
Count each beat as number-and. The number marks the beat and the word and marks the halfway point; both halves must stay equal.
In the illustration for “Two sounds inside one beat” (C4, E4, G4, C5, B4), ignore pitch difficulty for one pass and mark where every sound or silence begins against the count. Tap the main beat while speaking the subdivisions; if the tapping changes speed, lower the tempo before adding the written pitches.
Switch without rushing
Alternate quarter notes and eighth-note pairs while tapping the same pulse. Faster note values create more events, not a faster beat.
Eighth Notes at the keyboard
Now take the idea to the keyboard. Alternate C and D as eighth notes while the other hand taps a steady quarter-note pulse.
- 1Tap four slow beats before playing.
- 2Add C on each number and D on each and.
- 3Record one measure and check whether both halves of every beat are equal.
Eighth Notes check
The second half of the beat is often played late at first and then rushed to reach the next numbered count.
Can you remove the played notes and keep saying the subdivisions at exactly the same speed?