<< Upbeat About Downbeats | Counting with a System 4/4
There are many systems of counting that are used to count the rhythm in a measure. Some use fun words that match the rhythm, others use syllables that match the type of rhythmic note.
The system that I prefer is based on the Eastman counting system, which counts each beat of the measure using the number of the beat in the measure. I find that this system helps to give a sense not only of the rhythm of individual notes, but also of where you are within the measure.
Counting Syllables – Simple Meter
When a beat is divisible by two (simple meter), the syllables used for counting are as follows:
- The number of the beat in the measure is counted on the downbeat.
- The syllable “e” is the 2nd 16th note in a beat.
- The syllable “&” is counted on the upbeat.
- The syllable “a” is the 4th 16th note in a beat.
4/4 Meter
From that system, here are some basic counting syllables for rhythms in 4/4 meter. A measure of all quarter notes uses only numbers since each quarter note begins on the downbeat:
A measure of all eighth notes uses the number and “&” syllables, since each note occurs exactly on a downbeat or an upbeat:
A measure of all sixteenth notes uses all four syllables:
Notice that the downbeat always lines up with the number and the upbeat always lines up with the “&” syllable.
2/2 (Cut Time) Meter
In 2/2 meter, or Cut Time, the half note receives 1 beat and there are 2 beats in the measure.
Each quarter note receives half a beat of time. A measure of quarter notes uses the numbers and the “&” syllable.
A measure of eighth notes uses all of the syllables.
Notice that:
- The numbers fall on the downbeats
- The “&” syllable falls on the upbeats
6/8 Meter, Slow
When 6/8 meter is played slowly, there are 6 beats in the measure and the eighth note receives one beat. This is considered simple meter because each eighth note contains 2 sixteenth notes, so the beat is divided into 2 parts.
A measure of eighth notes in 6/8 meter played slowly is counted using all numbers:
A measure of sixteenth notes in 6/8 meter played slowly is counted using numbers and the “&” syllable.
Counting Syllables – Compound Meter
When a beat is divisible by three (compound meter), the syllables used for counting are as follows (la, li pronounced “lah-lee”):
Notice that:
- The number falls on the downbeat.
- The syllables divide the beat into three even parts.
- There is no concept of upbeat (because the beat is divisible by 3, the halfway point is in the middle of the second division).
6/8 Meter, Fast
When 6/8 time is fast, it is counted with two beats per measure, grouping 3 eighth notes in each beat. When 6/8 is counted in 2, the dotted quarter note gets 1 beat.
Notice that there are two beats in the measure, but there is still the equivalent of 6 eighth notes in the measure.
A measure full of eighth notes in 6/8 in 2 uses the numbers and syllables:
Notice that:
- The numbers still fall on the notes that are on the downbeat.
- The syllables divide the beat into three even parts.
When sixteenth notes appear in 6/8 time in 2, each sixteenth that falls between the previously defined syllables is assigned the syllable “ta”.
