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Tempo, metre and rhythm - EdexcelRhythm notation

Tempo, metre and rhythm are vital in all forms of music. Tempo is the underlying beat of the music. Metre is the organisation of rhythms into certain regular patterns. Rhythm is the organisation of particular sounds by their length. Without tempo, metre and rhythm, music would be disorganised and chaotic.

Part of MusicMusic theory

Rhythm notation

Rhythm notation shows the duration of a note. Watch the video to hear the difference in note length and see the durations of different types of note.

  • A semibreve lasts for four crotchet beats.
  • A minim lasts for two crotchet beats.
  • A quaver lasts for half a crotchet beat - so there are two to the time of a crotchet.
  • A semiquaver lasts for a quarter of a crotchet beat - so there are four to the time of a crotchet.

Rhythm and the durations of different notes, from semibreves to semiquavers

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