Ritmo

Ritmo, a term used in Spanish and Italian, denotes the pattern of sounds and silences in time in music and speech. In music, rhythm refers to the organization of durations of notes and rests within a regular or irregular pulse called the beat. The concept is closely linked to tempo (the speed of the beat) and meter (the grouping of beats into measures), and it encompasses patterns such as repetition, syncopation, and rhythmical density. The term derives from Latin rhythmus, itself from Greek rhythmos, through Romance languages; the word entered many languages with similar meanings related to timing and measurement.

Rhythm is realized in notation through note durations, rests, ties, and time signatures. The beat provides a steady pulse; meter groups beats into measures. Subdivisions add complexity, such as eighth notes, sixteenths, and triplets. Syncopation shifts accents away from the regular beat, adding interest. Rhythmic patterns range from simple to complex and vary across genres and cultures, from Western classical to African and Latin styles, reflecting diverse timing traditions.

In practice, ritmo underpins musical performance, dance, and vocal delivery. It also appears in poetry and language as prosody, indicating patterned stress and timing. Studies of rhythm examine how listeners perceive timing, meter, and groove, and how rhythm interacts with melody and harmony. The term is widely used in music education, analysis, and ethnomusicology to describe both universal and culture-specific rhythmic practices.