Rhythm practice
Read the rhythm, listen to the one-bar count-in, then tap it. You get a timing score for every note, in milliseconds.
Note values in 4/4
| Note | Name (US / UK) | Beats in 4/4 | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 𝅝 | Whole note / semibreve | 4 | 1 2 3 4 |
| 𝅗𝅥 | Half note / minim | 2 | 1 2 |
| ♩. | Dotted quarter / dotted crotchet | 1½ | 1 (2) & |
| ♩ | Quarter note / crotchet | 1 | 1 |
| ♪ | Eighth note / quaver | ½ | 1 & |
| 𝅘𝅥𝅯 | Sixteenth note / semiquaver | ¼ | 1 e & a |
Every note value has a matching rest of the same length. A dot adds half the note’s value. Syncopation places notes on the “&” and holds them over the beat, which is why it feels like it pushes forward. Need a plain click to practise with? Use the metronome.
Questions
How does the rhythm practice work?
You see a one-bar rhythm in 4/4. Press Start: the metronome counts in one bar, then you tap the rhythm (on the big pad, the space bar or any key) during the next bar. Each tap is compared with the written rhythm and scored by how many milliseconds early or late it was.
What counts as “on time”?
Within 40 ms is marked perfect, within 90 ms good, and beyond that early or late. Professional drummers are often within 10–20 ms; most learners start around 50–80 ms.
Why am I always early or late?
Some delay comes from your device: Bluetooth headphones and some phones add audio latency. If every tap reads consistently late by a similar amount, that offset is probably the device. Use wired headphones or speakers for the most accurate results.
How do I count rhythms?
Count beats as “1 2 3 4”. Eighth notes add “and” (1 & 2 &); sixteenths use “1 e & a”. A dotted quarter lasts one and a half beats. Say the counts aloud while tapping.