Struggling with rhythm? You’re not alone—most students were never taught how to count properly. In this lesson, I’ll give you a simple, foolproof system for reading and playing any rhythm with confidence— no more guessing.
Whether you’re puzzled by dotted rhythms, lost in syncopation, or just can’t keep a steady pulse, this tutorial breaks it all down step-by-step.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:
How to subdivide any rhythm
How to count dotted notes accurately
A reliable method for counting tricky rhythms
Why rests are just as important as notes
How to internalize pulse and stop rushing
RELATED VIDEOS:
‘Can You Keep a Steady Beat?’
‘Difference between Meter and Beat, and the Rhythm’
‘Meter and Time Signatures Explained’
0:00 The rhythm struggle is real
1:17 Counting Skill 1: Understanding note values - Rhythm Pyramid
1:54 How note values work in context
2:50 Counting Skill 2: Maintaining the pulse – practical exercises
3:57 The Secret Weapon: Subdividing the Beat
4:39 Counting in Quavers (8th Notes)
5:39 Introducing Syncopation
6:23 Counting in Semiquavers (16th Notes)
8:33 Dotted rhythms demystified
9:36 Dotted Crotchet and Quaver
11:23 Quaver and Dotted Crotchet
11:58 Dotted Quaver and Semiquaver
12:48 Semiquaver and Dotted Quaver
13:17 Putting it all into practice
15:12 Don’t forget the rests!
16:19 Summary