Common Sixteenth Note Figures
16th notes are commonly used within a beat in conjunction with eighth notes. The following examples demonstrate the A form of the Blues scales of F and D using common rhythmic figures. It is a good idea to practice all your scales and arpeggios using these rhythms.
Here is a lick which makes use of the two rhythms you have just learned. As you will hear, this one is “Funky”. Most Funk music is based on an underlying rhythm of 16th notes.
Here are four more important 16th note figures. Practice each one on one note as shown below and then use them to play arpeggios and scales. When you are confident with each rhythm, try improvising with it. The first one contains a dotted eighth-note. Remember that a dot increases the value of a note by half, so the dotted eighth-note is worth three quarters of a beat.
This one contains two 16th notes and an eighth note. You may find these rhythms difficult at first but they are all important, so stick with it. Use a metronome as you practice them and count out loud as you play. If you are tapping your foot, make sure it taps only on each beat and not in between.
The next two rhythms involve the use of 16th note rests. Once again take them slowly at first, count out loud and use a metronome.
Here is a solo which makes use of various 16th note rhythms. If you have trouble with it, learn the rhythm of each phrase on one note and then play the phrase slowly with a metronome, counting out loud as you play. There are a couple of symbols in the notation which you may not be familiar with. Firstly the term 8va which appears above measure 6 means to play the notes one octave higher than written. This applies to the notation, but the tablature is written in the correct position. This is followed by the term loco (measure 7) which tells you to go back to the normal written pitch. Another symbol in this solo is the wavy diagonal line (E) which appears in measures 7 and 12. This refers to the trail-off, which is a slide away from the starting note either down or up to an indefinite pitch. Listen to the recording to hear the effect of the trail-off.
