Rhythm, Beat & Tempo
Learn the pulse of music, hear different note values, use a real metronome, compose your own four-beat pattern, and check your understanding.
1. Beat, Rhythm & Tempo · 10 min
Beat is the steady pulse you tap your foot to. Rhythm is a pattern of long and short sounds that fits over that pulse. Tempo is how fast or slow the pulse goes.
Try it: Start the metronome below and tap your foot on every click. Then clap two times during one beat and once during the next. Your foot is keeping the beat; your hands are creating a rhythm.
2. Working Metronome · 10 min
Press Start to hear a steady pulse. The first beat is accented.
Tap Tempo several times at a steady speed.
Practice: Clap at 60 BPM, march at 100 BPM, and try 140 BPM. Notice how the beat gets faster.
3. Hear Note Values · 10 min
In 4/4 time, each measure contains four quarter-note beats. Choose a note to hear it played against a four-beat count.
Listening tip: the higher tone starts a note; the lower clicks mark the underlying beat.
4. Build Your Own Rhythm · 15 min
Create a four-beat measure by adding notes. Use Play my rhythm to hear it at your chosen tempo. Try making different rhythms without going over four beats.
0 of 4 beats used.
Example: quarter + two eighths + quarter + quarter = 4 beats. Clap along as the higher notes play.
5. Knowledge Check · 10 min
Select an answer to each question, then check your results.
6. Write & Reflect
For your homeschool portfolio, answer these on paper or print this page.
1. Describe the difference between a beat and a rhythm.
2. What does BPM mean?
3. How many quarter notes make one whole note?
4. How did your rhythm change when you raised the tempo?
5. Write your own four-beat pattern using note names.
Teacher answer key
2. Beats per minute. 3. Four. 1. A beat is steady; rhythm is a pattern of long and short sounds. 4. It became faster. 5. Any pattern totaling four beats.
Homeschool Completion Log
Student: ________________________ Date: ________________ Time logged: ________________