Subdivision Duets
In order to play rhythms correctly, we must subdivide.
Subdivision is what it's called when we use shorter note values to count accurately. For instance, in most pieces we can use eighth notes for subdivision.
Have you ever been told that you're "ripping off" the full value of a half note? In order to give a half note its FULL 2 BEATS, we must subdivide.
Below is a series of Subdivision Duets designed to show you how to become great subdividers and
Ambassadors of Rhythmic Accuracy.
The secret to awesome subdivision in these duets is to keep your eyes on both parts.
This means that while you're playing your part, you still are keeping track of the rhythm of the other part. These duets all show the notes/beats lined up very clearly in order to show you how the top and bottom parts fit exactly right together like the pieces of a puzzle.
Practice all of these duets along with the recordings; please use headphones!
In Subdivision Duet #1, the shortest note value is the quarter note, so we use quarter notes to count accurately:
In Subdivision Duet #2, the shortest note value is the eighth note, so we'll rely on those to count accurately:
In Subdivision Duet #3 we learn about syncopation:
In Subdivision Duet #4 we learn how to subdivide dotted-quarter notes:
Subdivision Duet #5 is a duet of Grandfather's Whiskers where all of the dotted quarter notes in the top part are subdivided with 3 eighth notes in the bottom part:
In Subdivision Duet #6, the top part plays the melody twice:
- The 1st time, the melody is accompanied by steady quarter notes in the bottom part.
- The 2nd time, all of the quarter notes in the melody are subdivided by eighth notes in the bottom part.
