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Rhythmic

Notation

Charts

Introduction

Rhythm is arguably the most basic element we can measure in music. Rhythm provides a sensation of movement to a composition by adding motion to its many parts.

Sounds in our world that can't quite be duplicated by instruments nevertheless contain discernible rhythm. Bird calls, raindrops against our window, industrial noises and virtually every other sound pattern you can think of can be transcribed into rhythms.

Ancient man had no musical instruments to play. But he was able to clap his hands, beat a stick or bang a rock against a cave wall to produce sound. This undoubtedly led to our first rhythm section.

From the moment we are born to the moment we die, our hearts pound out a steady, never ending rhythmic beat. We cannot exist without this rhythm. Neither can music. In the following chapters, you will learn about the single most important building block in all of music: rhythm.