To count beats while playing your favorite songs on the piano, it’s important to know the basics of rhythm and timing. Most popular songs follow a common pattern called time signatures. The most common one is $4/4$, which is used in about $70\%$ of popular music. This means there are four beats in each section, and the quarter note usually gets one of those beats.

Steps to Count Beats:

1. Find the Time Signature: Before you start playing, look for the song’s time signature. Here are some common ones:

   • $4/4$ (four beats per section)
   • $3/4$ (three beats per section)
   • $6/8$ (six beats per section)

2. Listen for the Beat: Play the song once while focusing on the rhythm. You can tap your foot or clap your hands to feel the beat underneath.

3. Count Out Loud: If the song is in $4/4$, count “1, 2, 3, 4” for each section. If it’s $3/4$, count “1, 2, 3.” Try to keep a steady speed, which is really important. Most songs have a speed between $60$ to $120$ beats per minute (BPM).

Practice with a Metronome:

• Start a metronome at a comfortable speed (begin with $60$ BPM) to help you keep a steady beat.
• As you get better at counting and keeping rhythm, you can slowly increase the speed.

By using these tips regularly, you will get better at rhythm and timing, which will really help you improve your piano playing skills!