Often one of the largest gaps I see in learning to read music occurs in the learning to accurately read rhythms. I could speculate on why this happens, but I don’t find that to be a productive pursuit- so let me instead offer some avenues for improvement! Reading rhythms on paper relates pretty directly to the basic reading skills one learns when first starting to read: you first must understand the building blocks of rhythm in order to then string together a rhythm. Sure, you understand that an eighth note is worth half of a quarter note- but how do you conceptualize the way it feels? Here are a few suggestions:
1. Learn and maintain a consistent method for counting. Here’s the basic method I use! This isn’t me, but a very talented teacher who’s made some great videos. This first video establishes how to count notes on the beat:
This next video assists in learning how to count eighth notes and sixteenth notes:
This third video will provide some practical help for counting “mixed rhythms”: when you have eighth notes, sixteenth notes, quarter notes, and their corresponding rests all mixed up together.
Here’s another very talented teacher explaining compound meter: where the beat consists of multiple smaller beats:
Eastman School of Music developed its own counting system in the 1950s, and I particularly like its method for counting compound meter. This video should provide some good help to those struggling with how to count in compound meter.
Want to try it out for yourself? Try it with this subsequent video.
For more information on the Eastman Counting System, here are some links:
LearnMusicTheory.net- Eastman Counting System (pdf)
Worksheet- Eastman Counting System, by Richard Smith
And, if you’ve found you’re not familiar with the counting systems here, there are many other various systems for counting. These range from very simplistic (like Kodaly), which are made for younger learners. Others of these methods, however, have much to offer those needing to practice more difficult rhythms (like Gordon- see link to pdf below).
Many others explained in THIS PDF
For practice with several of these systems of counting, here’s a great website for playing around with rhythm.
Are you a rhythm ninja yet? Like I said before, many different counting systems exist- so if you’re familiar with one not mentioned here, then good for you- use it! The key to counting rhythm is, like every other aspect of playing a stringed instrument, is to PRACTICE it. Shocking, I know, but it never hurts to mention it. Keep counting!