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15.2.2: Counting

  • Page ID
    258573
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    Numbers

    When counting with numbers in a meter that has the half note as the beat-unit, we will still assign the initial part of the beat the number of that beat.

    A pair of quarter notes will be counted as "1 and."

    A group of eighth notes will be counted as "1 e and a (uh)."

    Four measures in 2/2 showing counts with numbers

    Takadimi

    When counting with rhythm syllables like takadimi, we still assign the sound that starts on the beat as "ta." The sound that starts on the half beat will be "di," and the partial beats between will be "ka" and "mi."

    A pair of quarter notes will be counted as "ta di."

    A group of eighth notes will be counted as "ta ka di mi."

    Same rhythm as above, but shown with takadimi syllables

    Practice

    Read this rhythm that is written in 2/4 using either counting or rhythm syllables. Then read the same rhythm that is written in 2/2.

    Four measures in 2/4

    Four measures in cut time (2/2)


    This page titled 15.2.2: Counting is shared under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Lauren C. Sharkey.

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