Rhythm 9A and B

Rhythm Dictation 9A and B:

Below, you will find the answers to the examples in Rhythm 9A and B.

Listen to the examples here: Rhythm 9A / 9B.

Try to notate the rhythm in three or fewer hearings. The answers are below. Don't peek until you're ready to check your answer.

(Need a refresher on what these rhythms look like? Try reading this Rhythm Practice Worksheet!

9A #1 (One measure of 2/4, one of 3/4, one of 2/4 and one of 3/4)
9A #1 Answer


9A #2 (One measure of 3/4, one of 2/4, one of 3/4, one of 2/4)
9A #2 Answer


9A #3 (Two measures of 4/4, one of 2/4, one of 4/4)
9A #3 Answer


9A #4 (Two measures of 2/4, Two of 3/4)
9A #4 Answer


9A #5 (One measure of 4/4, one of 5/4, one of 4/4)
9A #5 Answer


9A #6 (One measure of 3/4, one of 4/4, one of 3/4, one of 2/4)
9A #6 Answer


9A #7 (One measure of 4/4, one of 3/4, one of 2/4)
9A #7 Answer


9A #8 (One measure of 3/4, one of 4/4, one of 5/4)
9A #8 Answer


9B Answers


9B #1 (One measure of 6/8, one of 9/8, one of 6/8, one of 9/8)
9B #1 Answer


9B #2 (One measure of 9/8, one of 6/8, one of 9/8, one of 6/8)
9B #2 Answer


9B #3 (Two measures of 12/8, one of 6/8, one of 12/8)
9B #3 Answer


9B #4 (Two measures of 6/8, two of 3/4)
9B #4 Answer


9B #5 (One measure of 6/8, one of 3/4, one of 6/8, one of 3/4)
9B #5 Answer


9B #6 (One measure of 6/8, one of 3/4, one of 2/4)
9B #6 Answer


9B #7 (One measure of 4/4, one of 3/4, one of 6/8)
9B #7 Answer


9B #8 (One measure of 3/4, two of 9/8)
9B #8 Answer

Drum Machine Rhythm

Beatlab lets you experiment with rhythm using a virtual drum machine.

Yet another tool you can use to augment your understanding of simple meter...

Rhythm Game (Simple meter)

I just found a cute little flash game from St. Ann's School in NY, dealing with rhythms in simple meter: You listen to the rhythm, and then turn over the cards until they match the rhythm you hear. It's extremely simple, but could be useful for anyone still uncertain about these rhythms, and may be useful to any of you who go on to be music educators:

Rhythm Writer

Rhythm Writer Game

Remember that there are many resources available to help you! Use them!

Rhythm Practice Worksheet

Want some practice reading rhythms in mixed meter? Here is a page with which you may practice...

These are very much like the rhythms we will use for dictation. If you can master reading these, it should help in transcribing similar rhythms you will hear.

I have included quite a few instances of the "galloping" or Beethoven 9th rhythmic cliché. I really never ever ever want to see anyone get this wrong on a test ever again.

Assume a steady eighth note pulse for these:

(Click on the image to enlarge, and print if necessary.)

Fun with Modes

Here are some helps to understanding modes and being able to hear and identify them:

David's video explanation of the modes (about 8 minutes)


Terence Hansen demonstrates modes on his double neck guitar (about 8 minutes)


This jazz based intro to modes may also be helpful (about 13 minutes)
(note, though, that he says "church modes" when he means "modern modes." Church modes are different.)


And the Modal Cycle (3 songs about modes):

Ms. Mixolydian and Dorian song

The Phrygian Song

The Locrian Song


For more (written) information about modern modes, Wikipedia has a fairly in-depth review that is (at the moment, anyway) quite accurate, and perhaps a bit redundant. Worth reading if you're still not clear on things:

Wikipedia on Modern Modes

Practice Test

Here is a practice test for you to get ready for our upcoming test!

This is a bit shorter than the actual test.

First, download the pretest and print it out, unless you kept a copy I handed out in class.

Pretest 1

When you're ready and comfortable, listen to the audio of the test. You may want to be sure to have a good pair of headphones, for the best audio quality.

Download Music - Audio Hosting -
Finally, when you're done the test (and only when you are done) you may view the following PDF file and see how well you did.

Pretest 1 Answer Key