Eighth-note rhythm exercises for sight-reading
Eighth notes divide each beat into two halves, counted "1 &". They are the first step in rhythm reading, and almost everything later – sixteenths, syncopation, swing – builds on a solid feel for the "&".
Level 1: on the beat
Quarter notes, quarter rests and pairs of eighths. Every beat starts with a note or a rest you can see.
4
4
Level 2: the "&" on its own
Now a beat can start with an eighth rest, so the note falls on the "&". Count the rest out loud ("1 &") and play exactly between the clicks.
4
4
Level 2 already contains every eighth-note figure. For more variety, add space in the generator (more rests) or more bars, then move on to sixteenth notes.
▶ Level 2 with rests and 4 bars
How to count eighth notes
Say the beat number on every click and "&" exactly halfway in between: "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &". Keep counting during rests. Notes on the "&" are the hardest part – tap your foot on the beat and play when your foot comes up.
FAQ
What tempo should I use?
Start around 70–80 BPM. If you can read four bars in a row without stopping, go up by 5 BPM.
Why are there no eighth rests on the "&"?
An eighth note followed by an eighth rest sounds the same as one quarter note, so the generator writes the quarter note instead.