Rhythm

In math, a pattern is crucial to make predictions or logical connections. It’s also the same in music. Maybe there’s an instance where, even though the lyrics in the verses of a song are different, you suddenly know where you are in the music, if it’s in the verse or in the chorus, and that’s because you know the pattern of beats in that music!

Let’s try this! Imagine the numbers 1 to 4 (1, 2, 3, 4), and each number represents one beat. For the sake of example and simplicity, let's use the 4/4-time signature. This means you can play a beat by clapping once (example only), but let’s clap only once or pat a table once per beat.

So do this: Let’s say there’s a total of 4 numbers, and you only clap on the 1st and 3rd numbers. So it’s gonna be: Clap (1x), 2 (hold), Clap (1x), 4 (hold).

Good job! But where’s the math? The math is in the pattern itself!

Remember the notes we learned in MAPEH subjects in high school? Such as the whole note, half note, quarter note, and eighth note? These are just a few basic notes that we might recall.

So, in the example earlier, what note did we use? Remember that each beat (number) lasts for 1 beat. We clap on no.1 and 3, and we let the sound continue (or stay silent) for 1 beat long after each clap, so it's a half note!

Did you see the math? Yes! The math is in the note, which we can convert into fractions! 

In our example:

The whole note can be 4/4 or 1 × 4 (which is the time signature) = 4 beats, so it’s 1 clap only, lasting for 4 beats.

The half note can be 2/4 or 1/2 × 4 = 2 beats, so it’s 1 clap lasting for 2 beats.

The quarter note can be 1/4 × 4 = 1 beat, so it’s 1 clap lasting for 1 beat.

The eighth note can be 1/8 × 4 = 1/2 beat, so it’s 1 clap lasting for half a beat.

By understanding the math in a note, we can create our own rhythm that we like.

For example, we want a rhythm that has 8 beats in a 4/4-time signature. What will we do? We can add the notes! We can use different notes to create 8 beats in different ways. (Remember that we should multiply the note by the time signature; in our example, it’s “4”)

See how it works? You’re doing math! You’re adding fractions and whole numbers to make a total of 8 beats. That’s how rhythm works in music.

The next time you tap your foot, clap your hands, or listen to your favorite beat, remember that you’re hearing math in action. And that’s the secret why sometimes you like a rhythm, because your brain naturally follows the patterns of math hiding inside the music!

Excited to make your own patterns of music? It's time to shine and hear those rhythms you create! Do it with us, okay? 

Try clapping this pattern: Clap, hold, Clap, hold, Clap, Clap, hold, Clap (1 beat = one clap or hold)

Now count it: 1 (clap), 2 (hold), 3 (clap), 4 (hold), 5 (clap), 6 (clap), 7 (hold), 8 (clap)

How many beats are there in this 4/4 pattern? (Clue: Multiply every note you can see by the time signature, which is "4")

References:

Math in Music - Time, Tempo, and Rhythm. YouTube. uploaded by Texins Jazz Band, March 15, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIfhJ493M9A

Read Music Method. (n.d.). Counting Rhythms. https://www.readmusicmethod.com/counting-rhythms

Soundfly. (2015, July 9). How to Read Music - Episode 4: Counting and Clapping [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/7Bt1BF1PC2k?si=e0V8FrHc3bIwZEF0

Knowledge Check!