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I need some tips on eighth and sixteenth notes

linkinpark232
Posts: 1594
11 years ago
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What's a thrash band without a little Metallica? I can barely play one of their songs because of those damn 8th and 16th notes. I need help so my drummer and I can work on some Metallica. Anyone want to help?
Marko1960
Posts: 3145
With quarter notes the count is 1, 2, 3, 4, with eighth notes the count is 1&, 2&, 3&, 4& and with 16th notes the count is 1&ae, 2&ae, 3&ae,4&ae, picking the string on every count. Get your drummer to play a standard quarter note pattern while playing 8 notes per bar on the Hi Hat, you follow the Hi Hat playing the same amount of notes. Now do the same thing but get him to play 16 notes per bar on the Hi Hat, he'll need to use both sticks for tis, and you follow the Hi Hat again, simples
linkinpark232
Posts: 1594
I'm used to singing 8ths and 16ths in choir so it's really challenging when you incorporate singing with guitar. It's two totally different things I realized
Quote:
With quarter notes the count is 1, 2, 3, 4, with eighth notes the count is 1&, 2&, 3&, 4& and with 16th notes the count is 1&ae, 2&ae, 3&ae,4&ae, picking the string on every count.
Marko, I think the 16th note count is really 1e&a, 2e&a, 3e&a, 4e&a. I may be wrong, but playing those note patterns at 168 bpm on a Tuba sucks so f'in hard.
linkinpark232
Posts: 1594
I didn't notice he put 1&ae. Yeah it's 1e&a
LoudLon [moderator]
Posts: 1942
Most folks say it's not a good habit to get into, but maybe try anchoring your pick hand. For most players that means hooking your pinkie finger on the 1st (bottom) string for stability when picking rapid-fire notes. And though Metallica primarily uses down strokes, there's nothing wrong with alternate picking (using up AND down strokes) to help build your speed and accuracy.

But most of all, learn to identify 8th and 16th notes. For example, Enter Sandman is almost entirely 8th notes (playing eight even notes per bar) whereas a song like Damage, Inc includes a lot of 16ths. Another example is a gallop, which is typically two 16ths and an 8th. Check out The Trooper by Iron Maiden, which is all about the gallop.
Marko1960
Posts: 3145
Bassguy, bang on mate, I stand corrected. LinkinPark, you should check out triplets also
Quote:
Bassguy, bang on mate, I stand corrected. LinkinPark, you should check out triplets also
Triplets are fun.
linkinpark232
Posts: 1594
LoudLon yeah I actually learned Run To The Hills like a month ago. Never looked at The Trooper. And funny thing is I learned Damage Inc today. I just decided to play with a pick. I hate playing with fingers so much
The Trooper is pretty hardcore. One of their best.
Marko1960
Posts: 3145
An absolutely essential song for 16th note practice is, Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick by Ian Dury and the Blockheads, so iconic is the bassline that the video showed Norman Watt Roy's left hand on the fretboard, super imposed over the rest of the action. Norman can also be heard on every Frankie Goes to Hollywood song, check out Two Tribes for instance. Don't be put off by Rhythm Stick, it's not as hard as it looks

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