The difference between the rhythm and the beat in music can often cause confusion. But it doesn’t matter if you don’t play an instrument or haven’t had music lessons before – here’s a simple explanation.
The beat is the steady pulse that you feel in the tune, like a clock’s tick. It’s the beat you’d naturally clap along to, or tap your foot to.
The rhythm is the actual sound or time value of the notes, which in a song would also be the same as the words.
How to Teach the Difference Between the Rhythm & Beat
Teaching the rhythm and beat to kids through familiar songs and nursery rhymes is the best way to start. Print off these free printables which make a fun clapping or rhythm game for Incy Wincy Spider, Hickory Dickory Dock and Pitter Patter Pitter Patter.
[ Since publishing this post we’ve had a few queries; just to clarify these printables are intended as a teaching aid to help teach the difference between the rhythm and the beat and the relationship between the two.
They are aimed at preschool children to use together in a class for clapping, tapping, movement and rhythm games. However, they are not intended as worksheets to teach notation, but they are indeed preparation for this.
Over the many years that I have taught this lesson, I have found it by far the easiest way to let the kids actually feel it physically rather than just teach it to them on paper.]
Using Nursery Rhymes to teach the Rhythm & Beat
Hickory Dickory Dock is a good one to begin with because the beat is the steady tick tock of the clock which you feel throughout. The rhythm is the same as the words with a sound for each syllable.
How To Practice
- One person sings or says the words while clapping along to match the sound.
- Another person should beat or tap a tambourine to make the sound of the steady beat at the same time.
- Once you’ve got the hang of it this you can swap and take turns to practice both the beat and the rhythm.
- Follow the same pattern for both Incy Wincy Spider and Pitter Patter Pitter Patter.
- In Incy-Wincy, the “Tip-Toe” of the spider represents the beat. The stars represent the rhythm.
- In Pitter-Patter, the rain drops represent the beat and the stars the rhythm.
Make It A Habit
You can apply this technique to pretty much any nursery rhyme or children’s song. It’s a fun activity when introducing new songs too, and the repetition is a good way to learn a new tune.
So getting into the habit of always clapping or or tapping the beat or rhythm when you introduce a song is a really good practice. And one that kids really enjoy which is the whole point!
Check out this video for another explanation for the rhythm and the beat!
We would love you to come and share your ideas for teaching preschoolers the difference between the rhythm and the beat with our readers over on our Facebook page!
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I love this so much. What a great way to show kids the difference between beat and rhythm. I was wondering if it’d be okay to post this in Google Classroom for the online students to use? I don’t want to post it unless I get the okay from you. If not, I understand. Thank you.
Hi Anna, Yes that’s fine, I’m very happy for you to share this post in Google Classroom but please could you include a credit to letsplaykidsmusic.com Thanks 👍
Thank you please send it to me.
You are welcome.
hi，it is good to meet you and your lesson,i bought the frist
one lesson summer ,but i cant get the video,because I am in china.what a pity!I need the video,so could you please to send me the video in my email:[email protected]
and I will appreciate it so much.and will buy more in the future。thanks a lot.
Hi Yan, Thanks for buying my lesson plans all the way from China! I’ve sent you an email to answer your questions in full. Sara
Hi, I like the sample you given and I going to try another song by using “you are my sunshine” to teach my students which I’m the teacher don’t have any music background .
How and what about the rhythm and beat the song of ” you are my sunshine” ?
Hi there 🙂 That sounds like a great idea! I’m sure the kids will love the lesson – if you’d like some more tips, check out my lesson plans for lots more ideas – http://www.letsplaykidsmusic.com/weekly-lesson-plans/
I’m a 63 old Tring play recorder my education limited I was working at 12 so don’t ask me ino the notes and beats but I lost after that happy days I do try
You are welcome. You are my sunshine too. I will get you a music background. I will help you with that later.
I am a teacher who delivers in the Māori language here in New Zealand. I would like to thank you for your resource as this has helped alot to provide our kids a full understanding of the differences from Beat and Rhythm.
Cheers
Jonas
Thanks, that’s great to hear Jonas – I’m so happy you’re finding our site helpful!
I’m a dance teacher, but I’ve found your resources to be excellent tools for teaching the very confusing concepts of rhythm & beat to dancers of all ages! Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks Kim you’re welcome – Small children will always learn most effectively through movement – so you’re doing a good job too!
Kids? I’m 60 something, trying to learn the hamonica and I am confused.
Great post!
Thanks for sharing this. I like with the images that a simple lesson how to know rhythm and beat.
Thanks, I’m so glad you found this post useful.
harmonica
Oops. Clicked incorrect Reply option. See what a challenge this will be.
It’s never too late to learn! (and very good for you too! 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing these at Kids Learning Printables! What a wonderful resource!
Your worksheets are so cute and this is something even my 1st graders struggle with. I teach K-5 music and the only comment or concern I have with these printables is that the beats are not evenly spaced. I have found it is very important to have each beat be equally spaced to help them understand the concept that each beat gets the same amount of time.
Hi Christina,
Thank you 🙂 This particular printable is intended more for the teacher really. Generally I would do this lesson with 3-4 year olds (i’m not sure what age K-5 are?) and find that they respond much better to a more movement based/interactive lesson than sitting down with worksheets. The printables here are more to illustrate to the teacher/reader rather than to the child. Having said that, I would definitely agree that if you were doing this activity with children of reading age that would be important – tricky when the words are of different lengths, but I will look in to it, thank you very much for your comment, and good luck with your class!
K-5, is short for Kindergarten through 5th grades, which are grades in elementary school in the US (or primary school). So around ages 5 to 11.
Thanks for that Rebecca – that is handy to know.
These are really neat! I have a few of my children that take piano lessons, and they work on some music theory along with it, and this would be a great addition to work on during the day – I have never even thought about the difference!
That’s great Amy, I hope the kids have lots of fun with them!
Great activity!
Just letting you know I’ve featured these on The Sunday Showcase this week: http://www.herecomethegirlsblog.com/2013/06/01/the-sunday-showcase-summer-school.html
Thanks Rebecca, much appreciated! it was a great line-up on the Sunday showcase this week, thanks for including us!