What is rhythm?

Rhythm is a pattern of sounds made from different long and short notes. The rhythm in music can add to the character of the music.

Rhythm can be broken down into four basic concepts:

1. Beats and Note Duration

2. Time Signatures

3. Strong and Weak Beats

4. Duple and Triple Time

Time Signatures

In standard western sheet music, the underlying pulse in a specific measure of time is contained by a bar. The number of pulses in the bar is measured using a time signature. The speed of the pulse is measured by the tempo.

The time signature measures the number of pulses in the bar. The symbol for the time signature looks like a fraction sign. The numbers indicate the how to count the pulse of the bar:

• Top Number - shows how many beats are in the bar.

• Bottom Number - defines the beat as a certain note length, such as a minim, crotchet or quaver.

Crotchet Beat

Using the commonly used time signature of 4/4 as an example:

• Top Number - shows there are 4 beats in the bar.

• Bottom Number - defined the beat as a crotchet.

Quaver Beat

Using the time signature 6/8 as an example:

• Top Number - shows there are 6 beats in the bar.

• Bottom Number - defined the beat as a quaver.

Minim Beat

Using the time signature 3/2 as an example:

• Top Number - shows there are 3 beats in the bar.

• Bottom Number - defined the beat as a minim.