Section outline

  • In music the beat is the basic unit of time, the pulse. The beat is often defined as the rhythm listeners would tap their toes to when listening to a piece of music.

    In different music styles it appears in different ways. In dancing music, the beat is usually clear, often more subtle in art music. Not all music has a clear beat or pulse.

    We've all been listening to the pulse (heart rate) before we were born. Listen to the example below.

    The beat of our own heart can be calm or more intense. Measure your own heart rate as described below.