Subdivisions: practice between the beats
Splitting the beat into equal parts —eighths, triplets, sixteenths— helps you play accurately and stop rushing or dragging.
What a subdivision is
A subdivision splits each beat into smaller equal parts. If the beat is a quarter note, eighths divide it in two, triplets in three, and sixteenths in four. Hearing those parts gives you a much finer internal grid.
The available subdivisions
- Eighth notes — two hits per beat.
- Triplets — three hits per beat.
- Sixteenth notes — four hits per beat.
Step by step
- Set a comfortable tempo with the dial or with Tap Tempo.
- Choose the subdivision: eighths, triplets, or sixteenths.
- Hit play: you'll hear the main pulse plus the in-between hits, on a softer sound.
- Play your part leaning on that grid; raise the tempo gradually once it feels solid.
Tips
- Start slow: the subdivision exposes rushing and dragging you can't hear at tempo.
- Use it for passages with eighths or triplets that are hard to keep even.
- Once it's internalized, drop the subdivision and hold the precision on the pulse alone.