So far we have been working on getting the quality of our sound right but to really make music appealing we need to know something about RHYTHM and TIMING.? To achieve rhythm and timing, notes are given different values, some are long, others are short and some are in between.? This value is the beat or count attributed to the note.? Notes must always be counted correctly so before you learn how to recognize the various note values it is necessary for you to understand the simple rule of counting.? Now just because it is simple does not mean you can gloss over it.? Make sure you understand it.

Counting must always be even and smooth.

Here are 6 sets of counts.? The counts are 1. 2. 3.

Take a pencil and tap on the edge of a table at the same time counting out loud very slowly.? Make one tap for each count.? Do not increase the speed of the tap.? Remember, counting must be even and smooth.

1.2.3. / 1.2.3. / 1.2.3. / 1.2.3. / 1.2.3. / 1.2.3.

Avoid any tendency to become uneven.? DO NOT, for instance, tap like this.

1.???? 2.3. / 1.???? 2.3. / 1.???? 2.3.

Which leaves a longer gap between count 1 and count 2.

Avoid the other extreme of this.

1.2.???? 3. / 1.2.???? 3. / 1.2.???? 3.

Which leaves a longer gap between count 2 and count 3.

Do not leave a gap between each set of counts.? There is no pause between the 3rd count of one set and the 1st count of the next set.? Do not allow yourself to speed up as you proceed from one set to the next. You should finish at the same pace you started at.

Counting must be even and smooth.

You must learn to make even counts or you may find later that your playing is not all it could be.? Sometimes there are 4 counts to a set instead of 3 and we will deal with this later.

Click on Three Four Time.MUS for 'Finale' example of three four timing.