7.2.2: Sixteenth Notes
- Page ID
- 258507
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Common Patterns With Sixteenth Notes
Sometimes, we will hear a full group of four evenly divided sounds on a beat, or a full group of sixteenth notes. Often, the durations are gathered in one of the other common patterns. Sixteenth notes have filled in noteheads and are connected in beats with two thick beams.
Eighth and Two Sixteenths
In this group of an eighth and two sixteenths, we hear three sounds on a beat. The first one is twice as long as the last two.
Two Sixteenths and an Eighth
In this group of two sixteenths and an eighth, we also hear three sounds on a beat. They will sound evenly spaced, but the last sound will be twice as long as the first two.
Sixteenth, an Eighth, and a Sixteenth
In this group of a sixteenth, an eighth, and a sixteenth, we hear two sounds that are close together, and a slightly longer distance before the final sixteenth note. The final sixteenth note will actually sound like it is coming just before the next beat.
Counting
Numbers
If we are using our number system for counting, we fill in the sounds between our "1 and" with the syllables "e" and "a" (pronounced "uh").
For four sixteenth notes, we have notes sounding on all four parts: "1 e and a."
For an eighth and two sixteenths, we have notes sounding on "1 and a." We still think the "e" but the eighth note is held through the "e."
For two sixteenth notes and an eighth, we have notes sounding on "1 e and." We still think the "a" at the end, but the eighth note is held through "a."
For a sixteenth, an eighth, and a sixteenth, we have notes sounding on "1 e a." We still think the "and" between "e" and "a," but the eighth note will be held through those two parts of the group.
Takadimi
If we are using takadimi syllables for counting, we fill in "ka" and "mi" between the "ta" and "di" that we were previously using.
Four sixteenth notes use all of the syllables and we would say, "ta ka di mi."
An eighth and two sixteenths would use the first and last two and we would say, "ta di mi."
Two sixteenths and an eighth would use the first three syllables and we would say, "ta ka di."
A sixteenth, an eighth, and a sixteenth would use the first two syllables and the last and we would say, "ta ka mi."
Beat Boxes
Beat boxes function the same way with smaller note values. This method can even be more helpful when you have notes of a shorter duration. You might find that a short dash works, or even a dot. Be sure to keep a physical representation of the beat going so you can more clearly hear how many sounds you are hearing on each beat.
- Four sixteenth notes
- Two sixteenth notes and an eighth note
- An eighth note and two sixteenth notes
- A sixteenth note, an eighth note, and a sixteenth note
