THE RHYTHM BOOK – Intermediate Notation and Sight-Reading

This book is for you if:

  • You have completed THE RHYTHM BOOK—Beginning Notation and Sight-Reading, or you have a very solid command of rhythms on a basic level.
  • You want to learn how to read and write more advanced rhythms.
  • You already play an instrument (or sing) and read music, but want to refresh or strengthen your knowledge of rhythm notation, especially for more advanced rhythms.
  • You compose or would like to compose music or write arrangements for others, and want to be able to correctly notate it.
  • You are a music teacher who has worked through THE RHYTHM BOOK—Beginning Notation and Sight-Reading with your students and want a clear progressive method to teach the notation of more advanced rhythms.
  • You are taking music classes, studying with a private instructor, or are teaching yourself.Don’t worry about your age, what instrument you play (including voice), or what style of music you play; understanding these more advanced rhythms and how their notation works will help you become a better musician.This book has somewhat of an orientation towards jazz and contemporary music (funk, pop, rock, hip-hop, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, modern classical) and includes the syncopation found in these styles of music and the swing feel of jazz. If you are an aspiring musician in a different style (e.g. folk, singer-songwriter), you can learn what you need to know about rhythm, but the book includes some “extra” rhythmic things not usually found in your style of music.

    Rhythm is the key to so much in music. When you have read this book and completed the exercises in it, you will understand rhythmic notation, and be able to read and write any rhythm.

    Please note: once you have completed this book, you will be ready for the other books in THE RHYTHM BOOK series. A natural next book for you is THE RHYTHM BOOK—Rhythmic Development and Performance in 4/4.