Rhythm

Along with melody and harmony, rhythm is part of the core foundation of all music. Whatever the genre, era, instrument, player or context of music – it’s the rhythm that provides the driving force to keep our ears tuned in and satisfy our deep instinctive appreciation of music more than anything else.

Because rhythm is such a fundamental aspect of music, ear training for rhythm is relevant and can be hugely beneficial to musicians and music fans from all corners of the musical universe. From the bass player providing that funky bassline in a band and the drummer keeping a rock-steady beat, to the composer looking for a catchy riff to perk up a section of his score, or the passionate dancer who wants their performance to be so tightly attuned to the backing music the audience can’t help but sit up and take notice, rhythm ear training is key.

Series

The bass guitar and other bass instruments are often classed as part of the ‘rhythm section’ in a band or ensemble, and players of bass instruments are relied on to provide the rhythmic bed on which the rest of the music depends. Our Bass Tone series helps bass players find the optimal sounds for their instrument in different situations, and helps other musicians and music fans to appreciate the variety of ways the bass contributes to music.

Recommended Metronome Apps

Rhythm Music Theory

Watch a short video introducing the music theory behind rhythm:

Topics Related to Rhythm Ear Training

	The overall pace of the rhythm of music is called the tempo and no study of rhythmic ear training would be complete without also developing a reliable and accurate sense of tempo.
	Along with percussion instruments, bass instruments are probably those most commonly associated with rhythm. While most instruments contribute primarily in terms of melody and/or harmony, bass instruments straddle the pitch and the rhythm camps, contributing as much through when they play notes as by which notes they play. Whether you’re a bassist yourself or not, ear training for bass will improve your understanding of its essential contribution to most music.
	The percussion family of instruments features all the most purely rhythmic of instruments. If you’re interested in developing your sense of rhythm, stripping away the pitch and harmony aspects of music can make devoted ear training easier – and focusing your attention on percussion instruments is a great way to do that. You can delve into percussion ear training with a look at the rock drum kit, the orchestra percussion section, simple hand-held instruments – or even just the clapping of your hands!

Rhythm Ear Training at Musical U

Inside Musical U you’ll find a set of ear training modules for tightening up your sense of rhythm, along with learning to write down rhythms you hear and read rhythms from notation in an easy way.

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Rhythm Ear Training Roadmap

This roadmap will help you “get rhythm”, meaning both that you’ll understand rhythm and improve your own sense of rhythm. Good rhythm is often associated with drummers and bassists but having strong rhythm skills is in fact important for every musician.

By the end of this roadmap you will have a solid sense of the pulse of music: an “inner metronome”. You will be able to read and write rhythm notation for the kinds of pattern you hear and play in real music. You will also get familiar with the lively art of syncopation which can bring vitality and expressive power to your playing.

→ Roadmap: Get Rhythm

Rhythm Ear Training Modules

What Is Rhythm?

Learn about rhythm and how it can help your musicianship.

After completing this module: You will understand the importance of rhythm and how to identify and play simple rhythms yourself.

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Tempo and the Beat

Learn about syncopation and the pulse, upbeats and downbeats, tempo, and straight vs. swung jazz rhythm.

After completing this module: You will understand simple rhythms, downbeats and upbeats, and straight vs. swung jazz rhythm.

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Speak Rhythms

Discover two methods you can use to speak out a rhythmic pattern from written notation or know how to write down a rhythm you’ve heard: the count chant method and the Kodály method.

After completing this module: you will understand two methods for speaking out rhythmic patterns.

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Rhythm Practice

Practise your basic rhythm skills. Identify core rhythm concepts that you have learned so far like syncopation, tempo, and the pulse.

After completing this module: you will be able to identify syncopation and tap or play along with rhythm examples.

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Read Rhythms

Practise making the connection between heard rhythms and traditional score notation, so that you can easily read or write down rhythms.

After completing this module: you will be able to read quarter, 8th and 16th note rhythms from notation and write them down when you hear them.

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Universal Rhythms

Apply your rhythm skills to identify, notate, and practice popular global rhythms including Rock, Pop, Jazz, and Latin beats.

After completing this module: you will be able to play and notate popular rhythms from around the world.

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