Hia all, I have a basic question that is causing me some confusion and would appreciate your help. What is the difference between pulse and rhythm? Is pulse the meter, i.e.2/2/, 2/4, 3/4 etc, while the rhythm is the different combination of notes within this meter. If I have to tap the rhythm, do I tap the combination of notes or just the meter/pulse. Appreciate any advice that you may have. Thanks so much.

Pulse is like, well...your pulse: a steady periodic tick, tick, tick, a beat. Rhythm is the organization of the beats, e.g. 3 quarter notes per bar. The rhythm is demarcated by accenting certain beats.

I'm assuming the student has already learned the piece and is ready to perform it confidently for the teacher at the lesson. The "under construction" of a piece would be a different thing which certainly takes all things rhythmic into consideration. Counting is an acquired process of sound and silence represented by note values set in metric (metered) divisions according to the time signature. Measures. Also creating divisions of organization are phrases with "breaths" between phrases.

I teach my students to do a steady beat pre-count of two measures outside of/before the first measure that represents the tempo markings/time signature of the piece they are ready to play. This sets up the "chemistry" of the piece as to mood and pace. This could be fast: "Hup-2-3-4" or "Slow - 2 - 3 - 4" or it could simply feel like your heart pulsing steadily without the numbers assigned to to the pulsing. Steady quarter notes can be "TA TA TA" (3/4) or (4/4) "TA TA TA TA"; 1/8 note meters can be "ti,ti,ti" (repeated over and over). These are simplest of ideas that work very well. The "math" of music can be expressed simply without all the calculations of mixed notes" by using "magic counting" which is a "short hand" version of counting and very accurate.

Have you worked with a metronome? It's a great device to establish a steady beat.

Betty Patnude

Thanks very much. Yes I have worked with a metronome, but got a little confused with the definitions as I was preparing for a theory exam. Thanks again, much appreciated.