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Rhythm & TimeA–Z index
Rhythm & Time

Beat

also called “the count”also called “quarter note beat”
The short version

The steady thing you'd count or clap along to: 1, 2, 3, 4.

A little more

The beat is the ruler. It keeps going whether or not an instrument plays on it. When people say "a beat" they also mean a whole drum track — same word, two meanings.

Hear it
Why you'd careIf you know where the beat is, you know where you are. Every other rhythm word is measured against it.
Where you'll see this in BDT
Keep the Beat →
Learn next
PulseThe heartbeat under the music — the part your foot taps.RhythmThe pattern of long and short sounds you actually play.Bar / MeasureOne full cycle of the count — in 4/4 that's four beats.DownbeatBeat one — where a bar starts and your foot naturally lands.

88 words and counting in The Music Guide. Back to the guide