REWIRE MUSIC THEORY 

Learn

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.

Eighth Note

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”.

 

Eighth Note Triplet

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”.

 

Sixteenth Note

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”.

 
 

Identify

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

SUBDIVISION WORKOUT

 

Apply

IMPROVISATION

  • Watch the video to learn how to improvise using subdivision syllables.

  • Freestyle a subdivision rap by using subdivision syllables over the backing track.

 

Test

SUBDIVISION PRACTICE TEST

  • Say the syllables for the subdivisions below at 90 BPM.

  • On the downbeats, you can use the word “down” OR the number of the beat. (i.e. “down & down &” or “1 & 2 &”)

  • Make sure to maintain a steady, evenly divided beat.

When you are ready, scroll down to test what you’ve practiced.

SUBDIVISION TEST

  • Follow the instructions below to assess your subdivisions.

    1. Add new track > Voice + Microphone Track.

    2. Turn the reverb down.

    3. Turn cycle mode on and extend the purple loop bar over eight measures.

    4. Record yourself performing the assessment example you’ve practiced over the track.

    5. Check the evenness of your performance by comparing your recording’s waveform to the grid.