Part 2: Give the notes time · Lesson 016 / 117
Divide each beat into two
Count even eighth notes without speeding up the pulse.
An eighth note lasts half a quarter-note beat. Two evenly spaced eighth notes fit inside each beat in our 4/4 examples.
Count “1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and.” The numbers stay on your existing pulse; each “and” sits halfway to the next number. You have not doubled the tempo. You have divided each beat into two smaller spaces.
Begin by tapping the numbers with one hand and saying the full count. Then clap both numbers and ands. Only after that should you add the guitar.
Make the spacing even. We will explore unequal, swung subdivisions much later in the blues section. For now, “and” means the midpoint of the beat. This makes it easier to tell whether a phrase enters on a beat or between beats.
Hear it
Eighths
Audio fileFour-beat count-in · 60 BPM · Warm sampled electric guitar. Listen once before playing along.
A concrete example
One bar of eighth notes has eight attacks but still only four beats: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &.
Try it, slowly
- Tap the numbers while speaking numbers and ands.
- Clap all eight subdivisions.
- Play one easy note eight times, keeping the numbered counts at the same speed as before.
Check one idea
If you play twice as many attacks per bar, must the tempo have doubled?
Show the explanation
No. Eight even eighth notes can fill the same four beats as four quarter notes. The subdivisions increased while the beat stayed the same.
A good place to stop
You can keep the numbers steady while placing each and midway between them.
Return to the example after a short break. A clear explanation matters more than speed.