1.2 Subdivision

Subdivision is an equal division of the beat. All rhythms are made from the same basic notes. A note’s value (how long it lasts) depends on its appearance. Look for changes in the note’s beams (the horizontal lines connecting notes). If the note is a triplet, it will have a number 3 above it. Each rhythm below is a different way of subdividing a single beat which is a quarter note.

• Watch the walkthrough video.

• Learn and compare the subdivisions below.

Division of 2 | 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +

An eighth note subdivision divides the beat into two halves. Practice counting eighth notes while tapping your foot. The beats occur when your foot comes down (downbeats) and the “ands” occur when your foot goes up (upbeats).

The weak beat of an eighth note subdivision is the “and”.

Division of 3 | 1 pl et 2 pl et 3 pl et 4 pl et

An eighth note triplet subdivision divides the beat into three equal parts. This subdivision is difficult to feel evenly. Practice feeling sixteenth note triplet subdivision while performing eighth note triplets to make sure they are even.

The weak beats in an eighth note subdivision are “pl” and “et”.

Division of 4 | 1 e + a 2 e + a 3 e + a 4 e + a

A sixteenth note subdivision divides the beat into four equal parts. Since the beat is divided evenly, eighth note subdivision syllables are contained within the counts of sixteenth notes.

The weak beats in a sixteenth note subdivision are “e” and “a”.

Sixteenth Note Triplet

Division of 6 | 1 i pl + let o 2 i pl + let 0 3 i pl + let o 4 i pl + let o

A sixteenth note triplet subdivision divides the beat into six equal parts. Both eighth note and eighth note triplet subdivisions are contained within sixteenth note triplet subdivision. It can be used as a bridge between odd and even divisions of the beat.

The weak beats in a sixteenth note triplet subdivision are “i” and “o”.

EAR TRAINING

• Listen to the Spotify playlist.

• Which subdivisions can you hear in the hihat?

• Which subdivisions can you hear in the rapper’s flow?

IDENTIFY

Listen to the hihat in the drum groove and determine which subdivision is used in each beat.

The pattern is played four times.

• Use the menu icon to flip the card.

• Refresh the page to shuffle the deck.

Practice your ability to divide the beat evenly into two, three, and four parts using the gallery of subdivision workout videos. Follow the videos in this order to gradually improve your subdivision.

1. Counting With Hihat

2. Voiceover With Hihat

3. Voiceover Without Hihat

• Say the subdivision syllable that corresponds to the number for each beat along with the video.

• Know the test’s guidelines! Review the rubric.

• When you are ready, record yourself playing along with the video or perform the test in front of your teacher.

• Reflect on how you did using the self assessment.

Review the Rubric →
Self Assessment →