Learning to read music will open a whole new world of possibilities before you. You will be able to read and learn better material more accurately, sit in with better musical groups, and take better notes for yourself.
Here's the good news: It's not nearly as hard as people make it out to be.
Here's the bad news: It is a new skill and it will take some practice.
Counting is essential to reading and playing music. For each of the examples below, practice counting them out loud before attempting to play them. If you can count it, you can play it. I went through years of band and choir guessing at rhythms instead of taking the time to learn and master these few basic rules. Spend some time here and nail down these few basic rules for reading music and there is no limit to where you can go from there. Have fun and never be afraid to ask questions.
All examples are written on the snare drum.
Here's the good news: It's not nearly as hard as people make it out to be.
Here's the bad news: It is a new skill and it will take some practice.
Counting is essential to reading and playing music. For each of the examples below, practice counting them out loud before attempting to play them. If you can count it, you can play it. I went through years of band and choir guessing at rhythms instead of taking the time to learn and master these few basic rules. Spend some time here and nail down these few basic rules for reading music and there is no limit to where you can go from there. Have fun and never be afraid to ask questions.
All examples are written on the snare drum.
THE BASICS
Quarter Notes
Quarter notes are played for one count. They are counted "1, 2, 3, 4..." Quarter notes are the building blocks of written music. All other notes will relate to quarter notes. Practice counting these aloud with the example. Then play along and count with the example.
Eighth Notes
Eighth notes are played for half of a count. In other words, there are two eighth notes for every quarter notes. They are counted "1, and, 2, and, 3, and, 4, and..." Practice counting these aloud with the example. Then play along and count with the example.
Sixteenth Notes
Sixteen notes are played for one-fourth of a count. In other words, there are 4 sixteenth notes for every quarter note or two sixteenth notes for every eighth note. They are counted "1, e, and, uh, 2, e, and, uh, 3, e, and, uh, 4, e, and, uh,..." Practice counting these aloud with the example. Then play along and count with the example.
COMBINATIONS
Eighth and Quarter Combo
The rules above apply to these quarter note and eighth note combinations. Practice counting these aloud with the example. Then play along and count with the example.
Eighth and Sixteenth Combo #1: The Gallop
There are only three possible combinations of eighth notes and sixteenth notes. Essentially, the eighth note will take the place of two sixteenth notes in various places within one beat. In this example, the first two sixteenth notes from every group of sixteenth notes is replaced by one eigth notes. The first combination is called the Gallop, and once you hear it you will understand why. Practice counting these aloud with the example. Then play along and count with the example.
Eighth and Sixteenth Combo #2: The Reverse Gallop
Combo 2 is the exact opposite of Combo 1, thus it is aptly called the Reverse Gallop. In this example, the third and fourth sixteenth notes in each group are replaced by one eighth note. Practice counting these aloud with the example. Then play along and count with the example.
Eighth and Sixteenth Combo #3
In this example, the second and third sixteenth notes in each group are replaced by one eighth note. Practice counting these aloud with the example. Then play along and count with the example.
FINAL EXAM
This is the big one. Here is an example that has combinations of quarter notes, eighth notes, and sixteenth notes. As always, practice counting these aloud with the example. Then play along and count with the example. If you can master counting and playing this, you are ready to try some more advanced grooves and fills.