Lesson 2

In this lesson we’re going to be playing quavers, or 1/8 notes.
Quavers have a note value of ½ a beat, or 1/8 of a bar in 4/4 time.
Drummers will usually call these 1/8 notes.
They are counted like this: 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +, 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +.

We count them like this because it’s important to know where the ¼ notes, or beat falls.
Practice clapping your hands slowly and counting 1 2 3 4. These are ¼ notes.
Keep clapping and counting at the same tempo but add an ‘and’ between each clap.
You are now counting 1/8 notes without changing the ¼ note count.

I am now going to play and explain each exercise for you and then play it through at two different tempos. There will be a count-in so that you can play along.
Remember to learn each exercise slowly before trying to play it at speed.