Music: Rhythm & Beat

Clap rhythms, keep a steady beat

Rhythm and Beat

Rhythm is the pattern of sounds in music — some sounds are long, some are short. Beat is the steady pulse of music (like a heartbeat). When you clap along to a song, you are following the beat. Rhythm is the pattern that sits on top of the beat.

Example

Rhythm Activities

Clap this rhythm: TAA TAA ti-ti TAA (long long short-short long) Keep a steady beat by: • Tapping your foot • Clapping your hands • Patting your knees Try body percussion: stamp, clap, click, pat in different patterns

Note

Remember

Music has a steady beat (pulse) that stays the same speed. Rhythm is the pattern of long and short sounds over the beat. Tempo means how fast or slow the beat is. In South African music, rhythm is especially important — think of djembe drumming and gumboot dancing!

Key Vocabulary

RhythmA pattern of long and short sounds in music

BeatThe steady pulse in music

TempoThe speed of the beat (fast or slow)

Body percussionMaking sounds using your body (clap, stamp, click)

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Rhythm

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