Incorrect Rhythm Notation

bm · Post by bm » 18 Mar 2009, 02:12

It seems to me the rhythm notations are incorrect. I have Grade VI Music Theory (ABRSM) and I was taught to respect the beat/pulse when notating music. In other words, in 4/4 time, not to write a quaver followed by a crotchet but rather to write it as three quavers, with the latter two tied. This makes me think the rhythm exercises are harder than they need to be, especially when a swing is implied.

Post by **Hans** » 18 Mar 2009, 05:58

The EarMaster Standard tutor will always notate it the traditional way as "8th 8th_8th 8th" and not "8th 4th 8th".
In the jazz tutor we introduce the latter notation, which is also quite common in jazz music. It is however only for this specific pattern it breaks the beat and only for swing rhythms - not in any other situation.

Best regards,
Hans Jakobsen
EarMaster

bm · Post by bm » 26 Mar 2009, 05:22

Hans,

Thank you for your response.

Lesson 11 on the Standard Tutor has come up with "4th 8th dotted 4th" in 3/4 time. If we respect the three 4th beats, we would notate it "[4th] [8th 8th]_[4th]": the first beat contains the 4th, the second beat contains the two 8ths and the third beat contains the 4th. The second 8th is tied to the 4th in the third beat.

Regarding Jazz notation, how is "8th 4th" intended to be played? I can only find mention of the usual "4th 8th" combination on the Internet, and in Michael Lydon's book on Classic Jazz Guitar.