HOW TO COUNT MUSIC

You have to learn how to count the notes in order to play music properly.  It's quite easy, all you have to do is to be able to count to four.
There are two basic concepts to counting music.  You have music that is written in 4/4 time, which means that there will be four beats per measure.  And, then you have music that is written in 3/4 time, which means that there will be three beats per measure.  Most music is written in 4/4 time or 3/4 time for the most part.  Of course, there are other time signatures such as 2/4 time and 6/8 time, but most popular music is written in either 4/4 time or 3/4 time and other key signatures are basically a derivative of either 4/4 time or 3/4 time.

To begin with let's look at the shape and design of the notes.  It is the shape and the design of a note that tells us how many beats it will receive.
We will begin with the WHOLE NOTE.  A WHOLE NOTE is a circle without a stem or a flag.  It fills up the entire measure, because it receives a full four counts.  Below is a picture of a WHOLE NOTE occupying one measure.  Listen to this C major scale.  Each note of the scale is a whole note.  Each whole note gets 4 beats.  You can hear the steady beat in the background of this scale.  MIDI FILE.  Also, print up this PDF file of the sheet music of this scale.

HALF NOTES:  It takes two half notes to occupy an entire measure.  Half notes receive two counts each.  Below is a picture of two half notes occupying one measure.  Listen to this C major scale.  This time each note is a half note.  Each note of the scale gets 2 beats.  You can hear the steady beat of the drum in the background.  MIDI FILE.  Also, print up PDF file of the sheet music of this scale played with half notes.

QUARTER NOTES:  It takes four quarter notes to occupy an entire measure.  Quarter notes receive one count each.  Below is a picture of four quarter notes occupying one measure.  Listen to this C major scale.  This time each note is a quarter note.  Each note of the scale gets only ONE  beats.  You can hear the steady beat of the drum in the background.  MIDI FILE.  Also, print up PDF file of the sheet music of this scale played with quarter notes.

EIGHTH NOTES:  It takes eight EIGHTH notes to occupy an entire measure.  A single eighth note receives one-half count.  Below is a picture of eight EIGHTH notes occupying one measure.  Listen to this C major scale.  This time each note is an 8th note.  Each note of the scale gets 1/2 beat.  You can hear the steady beat of the drum in the background.  MIDI FILE.  Also, print up PDF file of the sheet music of this scale played with EIGHTH notes.

METHODS OF COUNTING:  A lot of musicians keep a steady count or "beat" by tapping their foot.  The foot begins in the up position and goes to the floor and then back up to the up position.  This movement would be the same as one count or "beat" in musical terms.  Others use a metronome to keep a steady beat.  Using a metronome, a whole note would get four clicks.  A half note would get two clicks.  A quarter note would get one click.  You would play two eighth for one click.

Learning how to count is very important.  If you would like further instruction on counting and rhythm you can send off for my audio cassette tape which costs only $10.00.  Or, you can purchase the book and the tape for $15.  I also have a video VHS tape that you can purchase for $20.00.
Any of these teaching aids will help you to master the science of rhythm and counting. You can purchase these items by setting up a free account at paypal.  Go to http://www.paypal.com

Once you have an account at paypal you simply give them my e-mail to make a purchase.  My e-mail is green@wireweb.net 

Counting can become rather complicated when you get into syncopation, 6/8 time, cut time, and 16th notes.  If you would like to become a master of counting and rhythm I can mail you the video, or the book and tape.  If you prefer to pay by cash you can do that also, or mail a money order to:

JOHN AXSOM
638 MOORSIDE
SAN ANTONIO, TX 78239

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