From the course: Music Theory for Songwriters: Rhythm

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Using subdivisions to build rhythm

Using subdivisions to build rhythm

From the course: Music Theory for Songwriters: Rhythm

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Using subdivisions to build rhythm

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- [Instructor] We've talked about the various subdivisions of a quarter note, from eighth notes all the way to thirty-second notes. Now, let's talk about how we use these subdivisions in musical examples. We'll start with a simple rhythm and expand on it. There are songs where it makes sense to play on the quarter note beats only. A simple example is a beat like this, where you have the kick and the snare on one, two, three and four, like this. (plays drum example) So the kick on one and three, and the snare on two and four. One, two, three, four. Listen to the classic beat on Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" to hear a great example of this. On top of the simple beat, you can add other elements that subdivide the beat. Like I'll play an eighth note pattern on the hi-hat to subdivide this groove. (plays on the drums and hi-hat) One and two and three and four and One, two, three, four. One and two and three and four and one. Let's dive deeper into this. On "Billie Jean," the bass is also…

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