Sixteenth Notes
This is a sixteenth note. It lasts for one quarter of a beat. There are four sixteenth notes in one beat. There are 16 sixteenth notes in one bar of * time.
Count out loud as you play this example and remember to keep all the notes even in length and volume. Tap your foot on each beat and be careful not to tap in between the beats. When playing with a pick, it is most common to use alternate picking for 16th notes.
As with other beat subdivisions (e.g., eighth notes and triplets) it is important to be able to play all your scales using sixteenth notes. The next example shows one octave of the C harmonic minor scale played in eighth notes, then triplets, then sixteenth notes.
Here are some rhythmic figures which combine sixteenth notes and eighth notes within one beat. Practice each one carefully and be sure to tap your foot and count.
The following example makes use of the previous rhythms. Sixteenth notes are only dealt with briefly here. For a more detailed study of 16th notes and the way they can be used, see Progressive Funk and R&B Guitar Method , or Progressive Blues Rhythm Guitar Method .
The Sixteenth Rest
This is a sixteenth rest.
It indicates a quarter of a beat of silence.
By now you should have a good understanding of how 16th notes work within a beat. The next step in gaining control of 16ths is to use them along with rests.
Here are some typical groupings of 16th notes and rests within a beat. Practice them slowly at first and count out loud as you play. To be sure you are keeping good time, it is important to use a metronome or drum machine with everything you practice.
Here is an example which uses all of the previous rhythms. There are no counting numbers written here, so analyze where the beats are and write the counts in yourself if necessary.
To keep things simple, only one pitch is used here. Once you can play this example comfortably, try applying these rhythms to scales. When that gets easy, write and improvise melodies using these rhythms.
