Many performers pay close attention to the note values in the middle of the range, i.e. quarter, half, whole notes but when playing the other note values, we tend to get sloppy. The notes I am speaking of are the sixteenths and the whole notes. The problem with whole notes is usually because of laziness. “Who cares if the whole not has four complete beats? When I hit beat four, I stop playing”. Unfortunately a whole note is supposed to get four complete beats, not three and one-half. The other value which has been slighted is the sixteenth value. Just as the whole note is shortened, the sixteenth note is usually played too fast. I will endeavor to illustrate my observation and offer a few exercises which will help solve this dilemma.
Sixteenth notes are usually played too fast because these are some of the quickest values we face each day. In out attempts to negotiate these little buggers, we often start them too late and play them too fast. Sixteenth notes are not that quick and deserve all of the length that they are to be given. By playing sixteenths on the correct beat and slowing them down, the tone and importance of every sixteenth will be enjoyed. The following exercises may change the way you approach these little note values and may even make your life more enjoyable.
Exercise #1
Concert Etude by Alexander Goedicke
Exercise #2
Overture to William Tell by Rossini
Practice Exercises
On each of these lines, be sure to extend every sixteenth to its full value. By the time you complete these exercises you should have placed every sixteenth at the correct time location. Next time you are confronted by a group of sixteenths, remember where they are to be placed. Repeated sixteenths in groups of four or more are never a problem but in groups of two or single sixteenths can be a problem.
Download exercises here-
