Hi all: I searched the forum posts to no avail. I'm currently working on a song that is in cut time with 16 notes. Therefore the 16ths are actually 32notes. Does anyone have a good method on how to count them accurately and efficiently? The problem is compounded by the fact that the measures are pretty choppy/ syncopated and spreadout. It would be easy if all the notes were 32nds but when you just trow in a random 32 here and there it really becomes difficult to place it. Hope someone can help. I am definitely playing music above my level.

Perhaps if you gave the title of the composition and composer someone who is familiar with it could help you analyze your problem. In general, since the notation system is mathematically based, then you can slow it down to 8th notes and plot when they would occur or even 16th notes. Is it in 2/2; 4/4? Figure the math for the piece and you should derive a number and then slowly count each one. For example: A quarter breaks down into two eighth notes so in 4/4 time instead of 'one and two and etc.'then it would be one two three four five six seven eight, etc; if you choose to break it down further then the eighth notes become sixteenth notes and give a number for each one. It slows down considerably but the EXACT point at which something occurs is easy to find and start working it into the rhythmic scheme. As you progress in understanding it at the slow speed then you can work back up to the orginal indication and everything SHOULD be in place.

right, you need to check time notation of the piece first, i.e. 2/2, 4/4, 2/4, 3/4, etc. before the 1st bar. for 2/2, 4/4, 2/4 (even factor), you can count 2 or 4 or 8 (multiple of 2) per bar, depending on how 'thick' the notes in the bar. after dividing a bar, check how many notes (including your 16th notes) per beat (count). for example, in Bach c minor prelude (4/4) where most bars containing 4 groups of 16th notes, so if i divide a bar by 4, then for each count/beat, i need to play one group of 16th notes; while if i divide further by 8 per bar, then i need to count one beat for every 2 16th notes.

similarly, for 3/4, 6/8, you want to divide each bar by 3 or 6 or 9 (multiple of 3), and find corresponding notes within a bar for each beat/count.

i said the piece was in cut time. i always take that to me 2/2 time. therefore the 16notes are 32nd notes. that was about the first thing i said in my post. my actual question in all due respect was how to count it. but i think i have figured it out on my own. i just needed to slow it down. i'm not actually counting it. i'm just treating it as a "twice as fast" as a 16th. the piece is not that difficult in that the 32nds are usually grouped in two's so that makes it easier. i should really not be even playing this music as it's way over my skill level as i mentioned. i hope to be there one day.

Regardless of whether it is normal or 'alla breve' (cut time) the method of determining the exact points at which something occurs would be the same and then speed it up until there are only two beats to a measure.