Example 1 - Rest on Beat 4
Focus on placing quarter note rests on beat 4 in various bars. Practice maintaining a steady groove and timing while creating space for dynamic contrast.
Preview
# Music Lesson: Practicing the Quarter Note Rest
In this example, we're going to practice the quarter note rest.
### Overview
- There will be a quarter note rest on:
- Beat four in the first bar
- Beat four in the second bar
- Beat four in the fourth bar
### Exercise
- In bar three, you just play the snare drum on every beat of the bar.
**Here we go:**
1. 2. 3. 4.
### Sticking Technique
If you're wondering what sticking to use because it's not specified at this stage, follow this general rule:
- If I'm playing quarter notes and not eighth notes, I'll stick to **right, left, right**.
- When there's a rest on beat four, I'll pretend my left hand has played it.
### Tips
- If you want to, you can sort of air drum it—just be careful not to hit the snare drum.
- But if it helps you stay in that sticking, you can do that.
### Variations
- Of course, you could play them all with one hand.
- Practice playing them all with the right hand.
- Practice playing them all with the left hand.
- Feel free to get creative with it!
### Starting Point
To begin:
- Treat beats 1 and 3 as right hand notes
- Treat beats 2 and 4 as left hand notes
**Note:**
- If you're right-handed, follow the above pattern.
- If you're left-handed, start with the left hand and reverse that.
About the instructor
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