Eighth Note Exercise 1
Lesson time: (1min 56sec)
Put eighth notes and tied notes together in this rhythm exercise with Talia Girton, using snaps to count the beat before you play it on the keys.
Course preview
This lesson is part of the course Piano Foundations: Rhythm & Range
Watch a preview of the full course below.
Lesson transcript:
8th Note Exercises
Let's have a look at some 8th note exercises. This section will include:
- 8th Notes
- Tied Notes
We can start putting the two concepts together.
Snapping for Rhythm
I like to use snaps to determine the rhythm of the piece. I'll be snapping where I would play a note.
Counting Along
I will count: 1, 2, 3, 4, and then we'll start snapping. I'll count along so you can follow with me.
Give it a try:
- 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and
- 1 and 2 and 3 and 4,
- 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 &
- 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 &
- 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 AND.
It's a bit tricky, so if you need to pause the video and practice that as many times as you'd like.
Focusing on Pitches
Now let's have a look at the pitches. Remember that there will be a finger change here in the second bar.
Finger Change
You'll be moving your two finger up to the A after a count of four:
- 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and
- 1 and 2 and 3 and 4.
- 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 dot
- 1 and 2 and 3 and 4.
- 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 for and.
I'd recommend pausing the video here to practice on your own. When you feel like you've got it, you can then rewind and practice with me.
About the instructor

Talia Girton is a musician and HCPC-registered music therapist, and the founder of The Cycling Music Teachers. Her work brings together music therapy, counselling and education, and she tutors internationally on the music therapy training course at UDELAS in Panama as well as contributing to professional development with the European Piano Teachers Association (EPTA). On MusicGurus she teaches the Piano Method and Piano Foundations courses, guiding complete beginners from first steps through rhythm, both hands, theory and performance. read more




