A-rhythm-atic

Rhythms are tricky beasts. Just when you think you've got one, it disappears!

No lengthy explanations. Just read the descriptions and listen to the audio files. Good luck!

Note: For the following exercises, 1 bar consists of 4 beats. Try and work out the rest yourself. Count!

Let's start with the beat. A constant pulse.
Listen (8 bars):
Download MP3: 8-Bar Beat

Even Quarter notes: 1 bar of only the beat and then 3 bars of quarter notes. Clap along.
Listen (4 bars):
Download MP3: 4-Bar Quarter Notes

Even Eighth notes: 1 bar of only the beat and then 3 bars of eighth notes. Clap-clap.
Listen (4 bars):
Download MP3: 4-Bar Eighth Notes

Swing: 1 bar of only the beat and then 3 bars of swing. Clap a-clap.
Listen (4 bars):
Download MP3: 4-Bar Swing

Triplets: 1 bar of only the beat and then 3 bars of triplets. Clap-clap-clap!
Listen (4 bars):
Download MP3: 4-Bar Triplets

All together: 1 bar of only the beat, 1 bar of quarter notes, then 1 bar of eighth notes, 2 bars of swing, 1 bar of triplets back to 1 bar of eighth notes and 1 final bar of swing. Clap along.
Listen (8 bars):
Download MP3: 8-Bars Mixing it up!

Practice: Go back to the top of the post and listen to the audio that only has the beat. Use that audio with only the beat and clap out quarter notes, eighths, swing and triplet notes. Have a little fun with it and randomly mix the rhythms up.

Be conscious of your clapping. Be deliberate. Hear it - sometimes what we clap isn't what we intend (like clapping swing instead of eighth notes when what we want is eighths)!

If you find you're weak at swing time, practice that more. If you find you're weak at transitions (flowing from one rhythm to another), practice that!

This is a training exercise so be extra conscious of what you're doing and take your time to be deliberate.