RHYTHM COUNTING WORKSHEET
Learning Cadence | Original exercises | 29 October 2026

All bars: 4/4, quarter-note beat, straight eighths.
Count: 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and
Quarter = 1 beat; half = 2; eighth = 0.5.
A rest uses time silently. A tie joins same-pitch notes without a new attack.

A. Quarter, eighth, eighth, half.
Total beats: ____   Sound starts: ____
B. Half, quarter rest, eighth, eighth.
Total beats: ____   Silent beat: ____   Sound starts: ____
C. Quarter tied to eighth, eighth, half.
Total beats: ____   Sound starts: ____
D. Quarter rest, eighth, eighth, quarter, quarter.
Total beats: ____   Sound starts: ____

Try each before reading the answers. Keep counting through holds and rests.

ANSWER KEY
A: 1 + 0.5 + 0.5 + 2 = 4. Starts 1, 2, 2-and, 3. Hold from 3 to the next bar.
B: 2 + 1 + 0.5 + 0.5 = 4. Beat 3 silent. Starts 1, 4, 4-and.
C: 1 + 0.5 + 0.5 + 2 = 4. Starts 1, 2-and, 3. No new sound on 2.
D: 1 + 0.5 + 0.5 + 1 + 1 = 4. Starts 2, 2-and, 3, 4. Beat 1 silent.

This checks the written count, not the accuracy of your performed timing.
Pitch, technique, swing and other meters need further instruction.