Count the numbered beats steadily. A note starting on an and can carry across the next beat, creating syncopation.
Pattern B · attacks at 1, 2, 3.5, 4.5; rest at 3 in quarter-note units
Keep your counted beats in place while a sounded attack begins halfway between them. A held sound can cross the next numbered beat.
Count 4/4 at 80 BPM. Attacks occur at 1, 2, 3.5, 4.5 in quarter-note beat units. Rests take time without an attack.
Pattern B · attacks at 1, 1.5, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4.5 in quarter-note units
Compare an offbeat entry with the alternative attack layout. Locate the silent half-beat before deciding where the sound starts.
Count 4/4 at 80 BPM. Attacks occur at 1, 1.5, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4.5 in quarter-note beat units. Rests take time without an attack.
Blocks show durations in quarter-note units. R marks a rest; > marks an accented attack. Numbers below each bar are quarter-note positions, which differ from the main beat in 6/8.
Check the idea: The attack can move between beats while the beat itself remains regular.
Count the “ands” aloud. Point to the first offbeat attack and keep counting through its continuation.
Select each rhythm from its exact attacks, including an offbeat at the beginning or end. A carried sound needs no second attack.
Use a fresh pattern to check whether you can keep the pulse while the offbeat moves to another part of the bar.
Each session starts with two guided questions, then your chosen practice set, followed by two new questions at a different tempo. First answers, same-question retries, and the final check have separate results.
Begin this lesson80 quarter-note BPM · 4/4 · With guidance
Offbeat start, Offbeat ending, Alternating subdivisions, Quarter notes
Practice this level100 quarter-note BPM · 4/4 · Fewer hints
Offbeat start, Offbeat ending, Alternating subdivisions, Quarter notes
Practice this level120 quarter-note BPM · 4/4 · Fewer hints
Offbeat start, Offbeat ending, Alternating subdivisions, Quarter notes
Practice this levelThe teacher pack includes 10 fixed questions, replay controls, a student sheet, and a separate answer key. The printed key and downloaded JSON use the same questions.
Original synthesized audio · A4 = 440 Hz · mono, 48 kHz WAV.
These references explain the underlying definitions. The examples and practice sequences here are generated for Earstep.