What is rhythm in music?

Rhythm in music refers specifically to the organization of sounds and silences in time, which is a fundamental aspect of how music is structured. It dictates the timing of each note and rest, creating patterns that guide how music is perceived and performed. Rhythm includes elements such as beat, tempo, and meter, which together help to form the framework that allows melodies and harmonies to exist cohesively.

In various musical compositions, rhythm plays a critical role in establishing the feel and drive of the piece. While melodic movement, emotional expression, and visual representation are also important aspects of music, they do not encapsulate the essence of rhythm. Melodic movement focuses on how notes change in pitch, emotional expression deals with the feelings conveyed through music, and visual representation pertains to how music can be notated or illustrated. Thus, the definition clearly aligns rhythm with the structured arrangement of sound over time.