rhythm

Rhythm is the pattern of sounds and silences in time. In music, it is distinguished from pitch and timbre by organizing durations, accents, and rests into regular or irregular sequences. Beyond music, rhythm appears in poetry, speech, dance, and even biological processes, where timing patterns help coordinate movement and perception.

In music, rhythm comprises beat, tempo, and meter. The beat is the regular pulse, the tempo is the speed, and meter groups beats into patterns such as duple, triple, or compound meters. Notes and rests of varying duration create rhythmic figures; notation uses measures, time signatures, and tempo markings to convey these relations. Rhythmic structure provides the framework within which melodies and harmonies unfold.

Rhythmic devices shape expression. Syncopation places strong accents off the expected beat; ostinato repeats a motif; polyrhythms layer competing rhythms. Western notation encodes rhythm with note values and rests, while other traditions use rhythmic syllables or proportional timing. Rhythm interacts with melody and harmony to produce groove, propulsion, and emotional impact.

In language and poetry, rhythm governs cadence and meter. Poetic feet and stressed versus unstressed syllables create patterns such as iambs or trochees, guiding pronunciation and mood. Prose also exhibits rhythm through phrasing and intonation, influencing emphasis and readability.

Rhythm has biological and cultural dimensions. Circadian rhythms regulate daily activity, while neural and cardiac rhythms reflect internal timing. Cultural systems emphasize distinct rhythmic vocabularies in music and dance, making rhythm a universal yet diverse aspect of human organization.