Read a Simple Rhythm

Read the Rhythm Before You Play

You already know the symbols you need. Now you’ll practise reading them together as a complete rhythm.

Before you play, look through the rhythm and ask:

How many beats does each note or rest last?

Then count the beats steadily from beginning to end.

For example:

4/4 | ♩ ♩ 𝅗𝅥 |

Count:

1 – 2 – 3 – 4

The first quarter note begins on beat 1, the second begins on beat 2, and the half note begins on beat 3 and continues through beat 4.

Keep Counting Through Rests

A rest changes what you play, but it does not change the steady beat.

For example:

4/4 | ♩ 𝄽 ♩ ♩ |

Count:

1 – 2 – 3 – 4

Play on beat 1, stay silent on beat 2, then play again on beats 3 and 4.

The important habit is:

Look Ahead

Reading rhythm becomes easier when you don’t look at only one symbol at a time.

Before starting, quickly look through the whole rhythm.

Notice:

Where are the longer notes?
Where are the rests?
Where does each new measure begin?

Then start counting.

This introduces an important reading habit without making the lesson overly theoretical.

Play the Rhythm

Now bring the rhythm to the piano.

Place your right-hand thumb on Middle C.

You don’t need to think about different pitches yet. Use Middle C for every note so you can concentrate entirely on the rhythm.

Count aloud:

1 – 2 – 3 – 4 | 1 – 2 – 3 – 4

Play when you see a note, hold longer notes for their full value, and stay silent when you see a rest.

You’ve read a complete rhythm.

You can now follow simple rhythms in 4/4 time, count through notes and rests, and continue reading from one measure to the next.