Rhythm; A Short Explanation

Hey, Be Encouraged! You already “do” rhythm.

Here you'll find a beginner explanation of rhythm. And, fyi, it's also an expert-enough explanation.

You are an expert at rhythm already - even if you don't play an instrument. You just need to practice transferring that innate rhythm to another medium - perhaps a drum or something else. Think about that later, at the Percussion Page!

You've Got Rhythm & You "Do" Rhythm

Your heart has a rhythm. Most of the time, your heart beats in the same pattern over and over when you are resting, and it beats in a faster pattern, when you are exercising. Maybe you can dance by yourself or with a partner because you do rhythm. You likely have a consistent rhythm along with your gait when you walk.

In music, the speed of the music within a specific amount of time is called the tempo.

To "keep a rhythm" or to keep playing a rhythm on a percussion instrument, you would need to play the same pattern again and again and in the same amount of time - at the same speed, so that other players can trust the tempo and play along (or dance along) without wondering what to do next.

But you can also play more beats within that rhythm (beats in between beats) or skip beats, and that's when the creative fun and amazing, un-rehearsed music comes happens at drum circles!

For now, try these...