Note reading · Rhythm
Rhythm tapping
Rhythm is the layer most often skipped and the one that hurts sight-reading most. Tap it before you play it.
Rhythm tapping
How to practise
- 01Speak the rhythm before you tap it: ta, ti-ti, ta-a, or 1-e-and-a for sixteenths.
- 02Tap on the table first. Errors show up in the hand at once; on the violin they hide behind pitch problems.
- 03Set the metronome slow enough to go a full bar without a miss, then add eight BPM.
Common tempo terms
Set the metronome from the term on the page. These ranges are typical; the score always wins.
| Term | Beats per minute | How it feels |
|---|---|---|
| Lento | 50–60 | Very slow — start here when learning a piece |
| Larghetto | 60–70 | A little slow, with room to shape phrases |
| Andante | 70–80 | Walking pace; the most common moderate speed |
| Moderato | 80–100 | Neither fast nor slow — the default for daily practice |
| Allegretto | 100–120 | Light and brisk; common in dances |
| Allegro | 120–150 | Quick and lively; earn it slowly first |
Common questions
What are ta and ti-ti?
Syllables for tapping: one note is ta, two eighth notes are ti-ti. Speaking them lines up with the beat more easily than counting 1-2-3-4.
When do I use 1-e-and-a?
When sixteenths are dense. Split the beat into four and say 1-e-and-a, one syllable per sixteenth.
Why tap by hand first?
Hand errors are obvious immediately. On the instrument a rhythmic slip is often masked by intonation, so it survives longer.
What tempo should the metronome be?
Slow enough to get through without a mistake, usually 60 to 72. Two clean rounds, then add eight; if you break, you went too fast.