Question : Query based on date range and totals.

I am getting myself a bit turned around on a fairly easy query.

I want to make a query using a parameter query of dates:

I built a query adding the fields:
EventDate
Eventtype1 (about 10 types)
Eventype2 (about 10 types)
Item1 (about 5 types)
Item2 (about 5 types)

I added a parameter query for dates under the event date:
 >= [StartDate] < [EndDate] + 1

What I want to do is total for each month, grouped by each field. example would be:
for EventType 1:
January 01, 2010 - January 31st, 2010.
EVENT TYPE 1
Smoke detectors: 210
Co detectors: 35
Apparatus Displays: 49
ECT, ECt, ECT
I am fairly sure it has to do with grouping and totals.
I build the query in design mode.
thanks for any tips to get started. I'll continue to read

Answer : Query based on date range and totals.

Start simple.  Add a column for EventType, it will appear with Group By in the row labeled Total: by default.
Add a second column by typing Counter:1 in the Field line.  Change the Total: row to Count
Run the query and you will get a count of events by EventType
Once you get that working add your EventDate as a column and change the Total: row to Where and specify your criteria.
You can define your parameter types by right clicking on the query in design view and selecting Parameters.  Defining them this way allows you to set the type so you can use dates.