Rhythm
The pattern of sounds and silences in time.
Category
fundamental
Pronunciation
RITH-um
Origin
Greek (rhythmos)
Length
127 words · 1 min read
About Rhythm
Rhythm is the temporal organisation of music — the arrangement of note durations, rests, accents, and groupings that creates a sense of motion. It operates at multiple levels: the pulse (steady beat), metre (grouping of beats), and surface rhythm (the specific pattern of long and short notes).
More fundamental terms
Dynamics
View all fundamentalterms →The variation in loudness between notes or phrases in a performance.
DroneA sustained or continuously repeated note or chord that sounds throughout a passage or entire piece
BaroqueThe period of Western art music spanning roughly 1600 to 1750, characterised by ornate expression, basso continuo, and the development of tonal harmony.
Aural TrainingThe development of musical listening skills including interval recognition and melodic dictation
TempoThe speed at which a piece of music is performed.
Synonyms
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v1 · 10/04/2026Browse all terms →