8th notes | keyofaaron

8th Notes & 8th Rests

8th Notes

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8th notes are where we start to get faster rhythms than quarter notes, which already hit on every beat per measure. 8th notes are twice as fast as quarter notes. Another way to think of 8th notes are to think of it as an extra beat between the quarter notes.

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +

It's important to still count in groups of four when in common time, instead of counting every single 8th note beat even if you are playing on every 8th note beat. There are eight 8th notes within a measure, but instead of counting "1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8", counting "1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and" is a much more organized way to count that really helps to connect different note values to a reference beat (quarter notes) when combining them together to form intricate rhythms. This way of counting builds a consistent reference of timing, as you would always be counting to four but adding extra syllables in between to signify extra beats in between, instead of counting a different amount of numbers in every measure. The numbers (1, 2, 3 and 4) are what's called downbeats while the "and"(often marked by a + sign) beats are called upbeats.

Alternate Strumming/Picking

8th note based rhythms are where we start to add in different strumming and picking patterns using alternate picking and strumming. So far, through quarter, half and whole notes, we always strum and pick downwards. Now that we have extra beats in between our quarter notes when adding 8th notes, our rhythms can sometimes end up being relatively quick. Because of the quicker rhythms, though alternate strumming/picking won't end up in every song, it's useful to train yourself in strumming/picking both down and up. When trying to figure out which strums/picks should be down and and which should be up, a simple default guideline can be used; downbeats (beats 1 2 3 and 4) will be strummed/picked downwards while upbeats ("and" or +) will be strummed/picked upwards. Pick any chord and try these exercises below, always strumming down on the downbeats and up on the upbeats.

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +

v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^

1.

1 + 2 + 3 + 4

v ^ v ^ v ^ v

2.

1 + 2 3 + 4

v ^ v v ^ v

3.

1 2 3 + 4 +

v v v ^ v ^

4.

1 + 2 3 4

v ^ v v v

5.

1 2 + 3 4

v v ^ v v

6.

1 2 3 + 4

v v v ^ v

7.

1 2 3 4 +

v v v v ^

8.

1 2 + 3 4 +

v v ^ v v ^

9.

Now try these same exercises using all down strums!

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +

v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^

8th Note Rests

Just like with 8th notes, 8th rests are worth half a beat. You would rest for half the beat and then play at the next sub division. Here's an example:

In the example above, you would play an 8th note on beat 1, rest on the "and" (+) of 1 (8th rest) and then play 8th notes through beats 2 + 3 + 4 +. Again with rests, try to mute all sound on the beat with the rest by either placing your palm near the bridge to mute the strings or by releasing the chord or note by pressing down lightly on the strings. Try the exercises below:

1 2 + 3 + 4 +

v v ^ v ^ v ^

1.

1 + 2 3 + 4 +

v ^ v v ^ v ^

2.

1 + 2 + 3 4 +

v ^ v ^ v v ^

3.

1 + 2 + 3 + 4

v ^ v ^ v ^ v

4.