Microrhythms

Microrhythms are fine-grained timing variations that occur within a beat or subdivision of a musical tempo. Also called microtiming, they describe tiny deviations in note onsets, overlaps between voices, and the way performers push or pull against an underlying metrical grid. Microrhythms focus on the short-term, intra-beat timing patterns rather than the broader tempo or meter.

Researchers study microrhythms by analyzing onset times relative to a metrical reference, using audio waveform analysis or sensor data from performers. They examine anticipations (notes arriving slightly before the beat), delays (notes arriving after the beat), and asymmetries in the timing of successive notes. These timing cues can be consistent within a performance or vary across passages, players, or ensembles.

Microrhythms are linked to perceptions of groove, cohesion, and rhythmic expressiveness. They help create a sense of forward motion, pull, or swing, and can influence how tightly musicians synchronize with one another. The same microrhythmic patterns may contribute differently to listener experience across genres and cultures.

In practice, microrhythms differ across musical styles. Jazz and funk may emphasize deliberate microtiming fluctuations to enhance feel, while Afro-Cuban and other rhythmic traditions often feature voice-leading and polyrhythms that generate complex intra-beat timing. Cross-cultural studies explore how different communities establish expectations for microtiming and how these expectations shape performance and perception.

Microrhythms complement macro-rhythm by shaping the expressive timing within each beat, contributing to the overall character and groove of a performance.