Display Rhythm Counting with Music Notation
complete
The option to have the count below the notation (like the sticking option). I probably wouldn't want it everywhere all the time, but the option to turn it on for certain sections, under fills for example.
For example: " 1 e & a 2 e & a"
Additional user feedback: "A common way my students have been introduced to BN is after I’ve sent them a link to help them learn a particular fill or rhythm in a song that they’ve been struggling with. Would be great if the count could be there on the beat. I currently have to send an annotated PDF or image alongside the link… which is fine, but having it all integrated into BN would be fantastic!
I think I'd expect the count to be everywhere by default. If I no longer wanted it on a particular screen, I'd happily just remove it. I think having the sticking below and count above (or opposite) makes sense. Avoids things getting too cluttered. I'd like the have control over where the count is displayed. My primary use case would be for fills or the first time a particular rhythm appears in a groove. An automatic option to add it everywhere would probably be pretty handy too!"
A
Angelo
Hi Derek, thank you so much for completing this request here is an example. https://www.beat-note.app/downloads/993BCA6B-D93E-44D3-805D-2A460D732855
Derek Lee
Angelo Thanks for sharing! This is super cool to see, and what a cool groove, too! 🙌🏻
M
Micheal Rafter
So good to see this arrive, Thank you. I wonder if any way to add counts to multiple measures at a time, especially since we already have beats created we might want to add to?
I’m curious how others tend to count triplets, 16th note triplets and 32nd notes, as for some reason they don’t have standards. For me, I like to maintain use of 1 E & A, thus:
8th note triplets: 1&A, 2&A
16th note triplets (just double): 1&A1&A, 2&A2&A
32nd notes (double 16ths): 1E&A1E&A, 2E&A2E&A
This keeps same language and symbols and visually consistent.
Just curious how others think on this and if anyone knows why triplets especially never got standardized?
Derek Lee
Micheal Rafter Thanks for sharing your feedback. Agreed on triplets - I've heard of a variety of ways of counting. I'd also like to have more clarity around how to count 16th note triplets and 32nd notes, 5s, and 7s.
If you'd like to be able to add rhythm counting to multiple measures, or configure how certain rhythms like triplets are counted when there are different ways of approaching it, please create new requests for those so they can be tracked. Thank you!
M
Micheal Rafter
Derek Lee I looked up most common way for triplets to be counted, and the internet does come up with the 1 trip let 2 trip let. But try saying that fast vs saying 1&a 2&a, especially for 16th note triplets, which I can count fast no problem with the short sounds I mentioned above. But, you are following what seems to be most common.
Derek Lee
updated the status to
complete
Released today in v5.4! 🎉
Excited to see how you are using rhythm counting in your teaching, content, and practice!
Derek Lee
I’m starting a small Early Access program for Beat Note.
A limited number of users will get early access to specific new features they request. In exchange, I ask that you show how you use the feature in your teaching or drumming by posting about it on social media.
If you’d like Early Access to a feature, please email me from inside Beat Note:
- Open the app
- Tap Settings → Email Derek
- Mention “Early Access for Rhythm Counting” in your message
That email includes your device info so I can safely turn the feature on for you in the live app.
* Early Access features are considered production‑ready, but because you’re getting them before everyone else, you might still find the odd bug. If you do, please let me know so I can fix it quickly.
Derek Lee
Update (June 2026): Rhythm counting is built and now in beta. 🎉
First, thanks for hanging in there while this sat quiet for a bit. I’ve been reworking how I handle releases so you can count on more regular updates. Greatly appreciate your patience and excited for this release!
Derek Lee
updated the status to
in progress
Derek Lee
updated the status to
planned
FYI, this feature is in beta testing now. I'm awaiting feedback from beta testers, and will incorporate that feedback before releasing this to production.
Additionally, all development work has been paused in order to resolve other critical and outstanding technical issues.
I will resume development of this in the near future. Thanks for your understanding! 🙇🏻♂️
Derek Lee
updated the status to
in progress
In development for inclusion in an upcoming 3.x release.
Derek Lee
updated the status to
under review
Derek Lee
There's still a lot to unpack here, but I had some inspiration for a solution to enter this data for a measure, so I thought I'd share that here.
The idea would be to have another edit screen (maybe "Count" or "Rhythm" or something similar) where you could select which notes you want the count to be displayed for using the same "grid" style of input as the notes and sticking.
There are still questions about where this should be displayed or if there should be an on/off toggle, etc., that I'll need to dig into later.
This is just a mockup - I know you mentioned the count could be added to the top, and it can definitely be placed there. This was just a quick mockup, so I added it to the bottom, but it can be moved easily. 👍🏻
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Derek Lee
I agree that starting with displaying the count in all locations is the simplest way to begin. 👍🏻 I have some enhancements related to sticking for toggling/etc., and haven't implemented them yet since I haven't received much feedback about the sticking feature.
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