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Rhythm & TimeA–Z index
Rhythm & Time

Pulse

also called “the steady one”
The short version

The heartbeat under the music — the part your foot taps.

A little more

Pulse and beat are almost the same word. Pulse is the feeling of steadiness; beat is the unit you count. Rhythm is what you play on top of it, and it does not have to be steady at all.

Hear it
Why you'd careBeginners mix up pulse and rhythm constantly. Once you can feel the pulse continuing underneath a busy rhythm, playing in time gets much easier.
Where you'll see this in BDT
Ear Room — Hear the Beat →
Learn next
BeatThe steady thing you'd count or clap along to: 1, 2, 3, 4.RhythmThe pattern of long and short sounds you actually play.GrooveThe overall feel of a rhythm — the thing that makes you move.

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