Bass Lesson 10 - Beginner Rhythms

The past few lessons have not been very challenging rhythmically. This article will cover a few easy rhythms and notes that will really funk up your groove. You will learn how to count rhythms as well as a little more information about notes.

To begin, you must know how to count rhythms. Let’s start with a simple measure of 4/4 time.

This measure is counted 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 just like the numbers say above the quarter notes.

 

Since the measure is in 4/4 time, each quarter note gets a full beat. Each beat is considered a downbeat. Tap your toes as you count. Each time you say a number, your toe should touch the ground. If you do this on a hardwood floor, match the tapping noise with your voice. Since your foot is traveling down when it hits the floor these notes are considered “on” the downbeat. If there were eight notes in the measure, there would also be some upbeats in the measure. Here is an example of a measure with eight notes and instructions on how to count them.

 

Since a quarter note has the same length as two eighth notes, it takes two eight notes to fill the same space as one quarter note. So, four beats of eight notes in 4/4 time will have 8 eighth notes, thus the name “eighth note.” The first eighth note in each group of two will be counted the same as quarter notes, 1 – 2 – 3 – 4. However, the second quarter note (the notes with the plus signs above them) will be count as “and.” To count this full measure you would say “1 – and – 2 – and – 3 – and – 4 – and.” When you are tapping your toe, you will say the number, and when your tow is traveling up and it hits the highest point of your tap, you will say the “and.” So, “and” is when your toe is up, the numbers are when your toe is down. Easy enough, right?

Dotted notes, on the other hand, are a little tricky. When a note has a dot next to it, not above or below, it adds half of the notes value to the total length. If a quarter not is equal to two eight notes then a dotted quarter note is equal to three eighth notes. Also, if you have a dotted half note it will be the same length as three quarter notes. Counting these dotted notes is a little more difficult. Take a look at this rhythm.

 

Notice the “and” of beat 1 and beat 2 are in parentheses; this simply means they are not audible, so instead of saying “and two,” think “and two.” It is important when you are counting rhythms to make sure each number falls on a beat; to practice this, try counting it with a metronome. Every time the metronome beeps, you should say a number. This particular measure would be counted as “1 and 3 and 4.” Notice there is no “and two” because the first note is a dotted quarter, which gets the value of three eighth notes but not the articulation (picking) of three eighth notes.

Notes that are longer than the beat, such as whole notes, can be counted as 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 but are still only plucked once. Since they are such a long note, it is easy to get off beat if you don’t count or think through half and whole notes.

You will also get off beat and lose track if you don't count through rests. If there are 8 bars of rests, then you should be counting 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 2 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 3 – 4. Instead of saying one for each new measure, say what number measure you are on; if you are in the 4th measure of rests, you would count 4 – 2 – 3 – 4. Another way to do this is keep track on your fingers while you are not playing. After a while, you will have a natural feel for music and may not even have to count. Rests can be counted the same way, but remember you don't play anything during rests. If you need a quick review on rests, check out the Premium Bass Guitar 4  article.