# Counting eighth notes

*Module 2 · Lesson 4: Rhythm I: pulse and note values · BazzLow*

> Count and play steady eighth notes and place notes on the off-beats.

Before this lesson: [2.3 Bars and time signatures](https://bazzlow.com/en/rhythm-1/bars-and-time-signatures/)

So far the smallest thing you have counted is the beat. Now you split each beat in two.

## “1 & 2 &”

Two eighth notes fill one beat in 4/4. You count them **“1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &”**, saying “and” for the second half of each beat. The numbered beats are the **downbeats**. The “&”s are the **off-beats**, also called upbeats.

Groups of eighth notes are joined by a **beam** instead of separate flags. Beams normally group notes within one beat, pairs in 4/4, so you can see where each beat starts.

> **Diagram:** One bar of 4/4 with eight eighth notes, beamed in pairs. The counts under the notes read 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &.

Steady eighth notes on one note, often called “chugging”, are a basic rock bass part.

## Notes on the off-beat

An **eighth rest** on the beat followed by an eighth note on the “&” puts the note on the off-beat. In the next diagram the off-beats are in color.

> **Diagram:** One bar of 4/4: on each beat an eighth rest, then an eighth note on the "&". The off-beat notes and the "&" counts are highlighted.

This is the first step toward syncopation, which comes in Module 11.

## Try it

At 70 BPM, play eighth notes on the open E for 4 bars, counting aloud. Then play only the “&”s for 4 bars, still counting all of it.

## New terms

- downbeat
- off-beat
- upbeat
- beam

Page: https://bazzlow.com/en/rhythm-1/counting-eighth-notes/