PIANO PIECE
Second Rhythm Piece
Now try a slightly more varied piece. Keep the beat steady as quarter notes, half notes and rests appear in different places.
β Beginner level
β₯ Β 4/4 time
β Β Rhythm reading
Lesson Progress
Look Through the Piece
Before you play, take a moment to look through the whole piece. Good readers don’t only look at the first noteβthey notice what is coming next.
In this piece, look for quarter rests, half notes and the whole note at the end. Notice where the rhythm changes and where you will need to keep counting without playing.
Can you find these before you start?
- Find the two quarter rests. Which beats are silent?
- Find the measures that begin with a half note.
- Find the whole note at the end. How many beats will you hold it?
- Which note is the highest note in the piece?
Reading tip: Don’t try to memorize the piece. The goal is to notice the rhythm before you play so fewer things surprise you while you’re reading.
Count the Tricky Measures
Look at each measure from the piece. Work out where you play, hold or stay silent, then choose the correct answer.
Listen for the Rhythm
Listen to the rhythm, keep a steady count of 1β2β3β4, then choose the measure you heard.
Press Listen when you are ready.
Which rhythm did you hear?
Before You Play
Look Through the Music
Before you begin, look for the longer notes and rests. Notice that the rhythm changes from measure to measure.
Keep Counting
Continue counting:
1 β 2 β 3 β 4
Don't stop counting when you reach a half note or quarter rest.
Look Ahead
While you play one note, try to notice what comes next. You don't need to rushβjust avoid reading every note in isolation.
Play the Piece
Read the music from beginning to end. Keep the beat steady as the rhythm changes from measure to measure.
After Playing
How Did It Go?
Could you keep counting when the rhythm changed? Did you stay silent during the rests? Could you continue into the next measure without stopping?
Try the piece again and see if you can make the rhythm feel more continuous.
Youβve played your second rhythm piece.
You can now read changing combinations of quarter notes, half notes, whole notes and quarter rests while continuing through several measures of music.
Check What You Noticed
Answer five questions about the rhythm you just practised.