Rhythm in music explained- How to get rhythm

In this video we explore rhythm in music, how to get rhythm, and practice your rhythm skills with some practical ( and hopefully fun!) exercises.
I'm Ruairi, and I'm a London based percussionist and composer and make tutorials and documentaries about music.
00:00 Intro
1:02 What is Rhythm?
1:36 What is Beat and Pulse?
2:15 Using the Metronome
3:31 Tip no. 1 - Vocalising Rhythm
6:15 Vocalisation Exercise
9:09 Tip no. 2 Counting Out Loud
11:43 Tip no. 3 Synchronising Movement to the Beat
12:20 Movement and Timing Exercise
For more information about me: www.RuairiGlasheen.net/about
The metronome app I am using in this video is called MetroTimer:
onyx3.com/MetroTimer/
More about my documentary Hidden Drummers documentary series: www.HiddenDrummers.com
Lets connect on Facebook: / ruairiglashe. .
Find me on Instagram: / ruairi_glas. .
Tweet me on Twitter: / ruairi_glasheen
©Ruairi Glasheen 2020

[@bodhran]

Thanks for checking out my video on rhythm and don't hesitate to ask any questions or share your thoughts here in the comments section 🎵👍

[@sepi846]

when you did Piccadilly and the mixture of syllables, is each syllable [piccadilly/1234] worth a click on the metronome? or is there a click per segment of syllable i.e. click = 1, click = 2, click = 3, click = 4, click = 1 and so on? if so How does this work when there is a mix of syllables? What is the limit on the syllable segment?

[@alegreone]

You are such an amazing teacher and I love your sense of humor as well as how much effort you put into your tutorials.

[@bodhran]

@@alegreone 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@geraldgalas4450]

Your videos are really great. Very well done, and very informative. I have been studying piano for the past 16 months, and find great difficulty in maintaining a correct and constant beat. Your video on Rhythm is certainly helpful, and I have watched your video several times to glean as much as possible, and have practiced your exercises many times. I was wondering if you had any worksheets available to help in my practice, or any suggestions. Thank you,

[@quodlibetful]

I am 80 years old and have played music most of my life. I only wish I had learned this when I was young. This method should be expanded and put into every school system. Thank you. I know this will help me to play better with others.

[@bodhran]

Warms my heart reading your comment - thank you ! Ruairi

[@finblaster7]

@quodlibetful It is! My school has this video as a class resource lol 😂 I search for your video just to say this and subscribe btw

[@4rg3s]

I was born in the 90s but I wish I also had more music education in school in my home country. I grown up feeling like "illiterate" when it comes to music. Can't understand rhythm.

[@FarukHalis]

How are u after 2 year

[@damnfk063]

The click that happens in your brain when you get this is incomparable to any other feeling. It's just so cool when your mind goes "ok here's how we do it" like playing a video game when you were younger and there's a level you couldn't pass and you threw the remote into the wall in anger. But when you come back to it the next day you pass that level first try. The new connections you feel your brain make is so exhilarating. Thank you this video

[@bodhran]

I love that comparison! So true - thanks for writing.

[@dunehaggar7495]

I find it easy to trust my instrincts to play complex riffs etc but when i need to work out what i played and translate it into musical notation i really struggle... hence youtube finding me this video 😅

[@anthonyanderson2561]

I saw my dr yesterday and he said you need to learn something different. I had a stroke and my brain needs to learn something new. Hopefully this helps me. Thank you 😊

[@pandimensions]

This is the first time in an entire lifetime of being unable to hear a beat that a lesson hasn't felt like it's skipping the first five steps. Usually the advice is 'just clap along' with no advice on what to do if you can't do that. But this is broken down so much more that even just following along once, I can start to see where everything falls apart for me, and it's not right at the first hurdle! Which means maybe I can improve! Thank you so much

[@SweatyStreams]

Im 99 years old and i wish i learned this 209 years ago

[@bodhran]

Never too late!

[@TiffanyIrene]

so many things I’m learning later in life I feel like this about 😅 thank goodness for the internet!

[@barryhill3069]

Honestly, I am 72 years old and never felt I understood rhythm, beat, and time. I have a tendency to overthink such things, and I probably have a lack of naturally engrained rhythm; even though I love music, naturally, want to move to the music and somewhat play guitar. I wish I had had such clear instructions about 65 years ago :) Honestly, this is great. THANK YOU!

[@bodhran]

Great stuff Barry!

[@inalangner4274]

Thank you for your explanations and the exercises you show. Those "naturals" always say "It is easy, go with your feelings" and never show exercises, how to develop a sense for rhythm. Your video was really helpful, thank you Ruairi!

[@bodhran]

You're so welcome!

[@sovka8394]

The best metronome tutorial on KZbin. Most videos tend to overexplain it to the point it is confusing. However, you, sir, did a great job! Thank you.

[@twistedbunny]

At first i thought this video was too complex but after a while it turns out it's really easy to understand and it holds a lot of information, thanks man, a lot, may Odin bless you

[@bodhran]

Glad it helped!

[@anazlem4314]

May Odin bless deez nuts in your mouth💀💀💀 Bro really said "May Odin-..."💀💀💀😂😂

[@user-yy2hc2up6k]

In my book Sir, You have been nominated and won the Best Music teacher ever. Miracles happen when a teacher knows what he is doing and cares enough to explain it without any sarcasm or elitist behavior. You have my sincerest appreciation and respect. I Thank you Sir!

[@angusforeman3204]

Thank you Sir. As a someone who has always found picking out and keeping the rhythm nigh on impossible, you clear and run teaching is like mana from heaven. You are a great teacher. Thank you

[@bodhran]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you for the nice words. Ruairi

[@udkline]

Not only are the suggestions great, but the editing is clever too. Well done!

[@anthonypetroneiii2260]

Ruairi, Thank you, thank you! This was awesome! Very useful, practical, and fun! Thank you for these tools and ideas! Good luck in creating new content!

[@NicolettCoburn]

This video was so cool, so useful and I'll be trying all the tips, I'm a bass player and struggling with timing a bit, but you made it superfun to learn. thanks heaps :)

[@estarling8766]

Your positive energy is boosting the whole YT ! :-) This was a lovely intro class. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with many.

[@user-rv7cv5xt6l]

Ive been trying to strengthen my rhythm practice, and your video ws a huge help and confidence booster. Thank you for it. On to the next!

[@UnkaDon]

This should be required viewing for all would-be drummers and bass players.

[@bodhran]

Glad you think its helpful- thanks for the kind words!

[@MayanPatel1]

also anyone that says they can't dance, it's basically the same!

[@mwpoppy7162]

Wow….fascinating Ruairi …..I’m very interested in the interconnection between language and music and I’m looking forwards to checking out your documentary….thanks for sharing musical theory and your passions in such enjoyable video’s🙏

[@darlenebonney3871]

Best lesson I’ve ever had. I took a semester of music . However, I understand more from this than the class.👍🏼

[@fallback780]

I can’t believe this useful video is out there and I I only discovered this now. Thank You

[@lovetaikolovelife9794]

Ruairi excellent, clear and fun video tutorial as always!! Wonderful! ❤️

[@bodhran]

Thank you dear Sensei 🙏🙌

[@BarbaraGail_drum_song_dance]

Say it and play it! I teach rhythm and I loved your video, you’re a fun and great teacher, you communicate clearly and with joy. Thank you! 😊👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@mariannboyan4034]

I am learning how to play guitar for the first time and one of my homework assignments is to work on rythym. This video is wonderful. Thank you Rauri

[@toddshook1765]

One of the things thank I worry about trying to play drums is getting all 4 limbs to work together. I will work on this exercise so to get my mind and body in rhythm. I am so intrigued in percussion and the drums. Thanks.

[@lindasmith6668]

This was wonderful and very helpful. I am a beginner percussionist. Thank you 😊

[@mikkelsv4804]

When I was a kid I was in a music theory class for over ten years. We did this stuff exactly and I have to say having done the speaking and moving from a young age its made a huge difference in my music. But also the class was super fun bc us little kids got to jump around all the time!

[@bodhran]

Fantastic stuff Mikkel- thats the way to do it! Ruairi

[@natalieadams4761]

Excellent explanation. Finally getting it. Thank you! :D

[@yamitmaman6777]

Thank you so much ! it’s very helpful 🎶🙏🏻❤️

[@mikenco]

Brilliant teaching method, thank you Ruairi!

[@bodhran]

You are very welcome!

[@AlexPetcu]

Amazing video Ruairi. I love your straight forward way of explaining things.

[@bodhran]

You lead the way Alex! I'm just following you 🙏 Thanks for the kind words.

[@jenibylsma9845]

Thanks Ruairi for another awesome, fun video! What a great way to awaken those instinctive rhythms we all possess. I think this would also be a brilliant way to teach kids about rhythm. 😁

[@bodhran]

Thanks so much Jeni - glad you had fun with it :) Ruairi

[@fade5364]

this is incredibly heplful! My dad is deeply into dancing, but he seems to have some problems with rythm and dancing on time, so i started giving him some sort of lessons (i'm a producer btw), but i hope this video really helps out, cause i'll be sending it to him. Great work

[@ulyssesjoyce2793]

It really shows you love rythm and teaching! Very nice video!

[@bodhran]

Thank you very much!🙏

[@michaelschwartz8922]

New to music and the guitar.. this really helped this old guy out.

[@patfiddles]

Wow- this video really helps me get it- over-lapping the visual aspects of the notes/ words with the sound of the metronome and saying the words out loud really helped this click for me. I thought Piccadilly was 4 beats, but in your examples, its 1 beat over 4 sixteenth notes. My music teacher would sometimes mark the beats on complicated sections of music for me and I was OK when the beat would fall on a note or a rest- but sometimes it would fall in-between two notes and that would drive me crazy. The clicks on the metronome are like mile markers- they can hit at the start of a tone, in the middle of a tone, or on a rest. Thanks for this informative video.

[@themidireporter3357]

I had a poor since of rhythm and this has helped me practice. Thank you so much. Slainte!

[@bodhran]

Delighted it was a help 🙏

[@holypotato6983]

Holy sh*******ttt! You're aWesome! The concept of this video, editing, quality and just the way you talk and explain things it's just so smart and helpful! I was terrified of learning rhythm, but I guess I'm just not anymore! :D

[@bodhran]

Awesome! So glad you found it helpful - have fun and thanks for the kind words!

[@fionahill-heaton6495]

You unlocked everything,thanks!

[@esmeraldagonzales1103]

Thank you! I’ve listened to other videos and I’m so hard headed I wasn’t getting it Finally I get it! Yay!!

[@LorenzoGrimaldi]

I have always had problem feeling the rhythm. Thank you for sharing these exercises. I'll definitely try them.

[@Yassir.A.P.]

feel some improvement after some time of practices?

[@mwpoppy7162]

Excellent …..love the stomping excercise…..I went to see Stomp once 🙏

[@Lil-song]

Ruairi! Hope you've been to Chicago to celebrate St. Patrick's Day! One week before St. Patricks day the Chicago River is dyed Green. The green dye was originally used to help in the effort to clean up the river's waterfront areas. According to NPR, when Richard J. Daley assumed mayorship of Chicago in 1955. You are the Irish Blessing on KZbin!

[@maureengrant9077]

This was an amazing lesson. Thankyou Ruairi.

[@bodhran]

You're so welcome Maureen!

[@hansy1305]

Brilliant, massively helpful, thanks!

[@arushakeerthisinghakatz4554]

Wonderfully explained

[@CelineOlguin-yz8kp]

thank you so so much for this ! just beginning music and this helped so much 💗 will binge watch your other vids 😊

[@bodhran]

Awesome stuff Celine!

[@leewilliams3170]

You are an incredible teacher, thank you! 🙏

[@bodhran]

You're very welcome!

[@rajeshhkkapoor8549]

beautifully explained sir. thank you so much for your time and effort and patience.🔱❇♾🏁

[@markielinhart]

Thank you so much Ruairi, as an emerging drummer (at age 78) interested in mostly jazz, this lesson cuts through big time. I’ve subbed for more…👏👏✌️🌻🇦🇺

[@bodhran]

Awesome!

[@BlackBearSixTV]

Very, very nice and clear lesson - thanks!

[@katieeldridge8867]

Thanks, man! Super helpful

[@rolfgilliard4130]

Excellent. So simple to understand ,so important to know.

[@bodhran]

Thanks Rolf - glad you found it helpful. Warm wishes, Ruairi

[@adityajadhav6319]

Loved your video!!! Teach me man!!!

[@teonabaraboiu2295]

I'm learning to play the bass guitar and I'm struggling with the rhythm aspect of it, so thanks a lot for this video! I'll try the exercises and hopefully I'll get better at it

[@Whitechai]

I'm in the same boat!

[@drmarxx]

The best tutorial on rhythm I have seen. I'm have been trying to play a string instrument since forever and have been unable to coordinate my right and left hand and this tutorial has helped greatly. Thank you. Watched some of your INDIA videos too, great stuff. Tea, coffee, Piccadilly, tea…

[@bodhran]

Fantastic- delighted it was a help Marc, and thanks for checking India doc out too. All the best, Ruairi

[@JensuyaBellyDance]

Fantastic! When I first started learning to belly dance it was so hard because none of my teachers ever taught or even referred to the rhythm, let alone the beat. It's ironic because belly dance is all about "being" the music with your body. When I teach, I always begin with the beat. Thank you for your inspiring lessons. New sub! 💕

[@dulceyuvia]

After clicking so many videos, including preschooler videos, this video was the one I could understand completely! Thank you so much you are something special😅 you see I love to sing, but I never understood rhythm till now, this is really is going to impact the way I sing.

[@bodhran]

Really glad it helped! 🙏

[@jeremiedumontgrant3648]

Thanks for all the video mate, practice every week, cheers

[@bodhran]

Great stuff Jeremie- enjoy the practice! Ruairi

[@dylejo8058]

Thank you for this great video! 👍🏾

[@bodhran]

You are so welcome!

[@Reddragon283]

Thank you so much for this amazing video, you are a wonderful educator 👏

[@bodhran]

Thanks for the kind comment! So glad you found it helpful -Ruairi

[@reginaldkemper7437]

Your lesson is intensively good Thank you

[@Lil-song]

Ruairi! You are a fantastic film talent, a natural National Geographic guide of world Rhythms & I am enjoyed all 4 of your Hidden Drum films, playful tutorials. With this video I wrote down your Stomp 2x +Knees 2x + Chest2x - Clap 1x - @ 70BPMs just like a recipe in order so I can practice without the video. Genius to tell us to use the metronome with the human voice not the wooden block counting. I didn't know that was an option! I am an adult new music student and your videos are the sugar in my coffee!! Thank you for making the impossible possible. You explain your "Why" so well! Thank you for all your video efforts& drum talents they are noticed & greatly appreciated!

[@bodhran]

Thank you so much for the kind words, and it makes me so happy that you are finding the videos helpful!

[@something3476]

i never felt so connected to a video.....thank you

[@DutGi]

Amazing! Thank u!❤

[@bhashemi731]

WoW.. that was quite intresting and useful. Thank you. 🤘

[@fionahill-heaton6495]

As a piper, love yr video, glad I found you! Thanks.

[@davidhall92]

Brilliant Lesson. Thank you man. 😊

[@jimtessin4130]

Excellent!!!! Thank you!!!!!

[@wobugaosuni]

Fantastic video and very helpful. Thank you.

[@bodhran]

Glad it was helpful Tom!

[@vishalverse3079]

Thanks man.... Its a big help

[@annemuldoon1159]

Thank you so much for making this video. If you had a summer camp for adults where you teach rhythm I would sign up because the movement part made me so happy!! I’m learning the violin whilst retired so I have plenty of time to watch videos. So far this one is the best for my specific problem: lack of rhythm. Cheers!!😊

[@nickiemcnichols5397]

I’m a violin beginner. For the life of me, I cannot play and count at the same time. It drives my bandmates nuts, not to mention my violin teacher. I hope this video helps.

[@takakokobayashi3594]

thank you so much!! I love your way and your attitude 💓

[@bodhran]

Thank you so much!!

[@MildBoook]

Very good lesson. Thank you a lot!

[@bodhran]

Your very welcome :)

[@Paloloeq]

Thank you very much. I love the way you explain. It is evident that you love what you do. Subscribed.

[@bodhran]

I appreciate that Otro! Thank you

[@Human_Behaviour_Analyst]

Thanks for this amazing tutorial

[@bodhran]

Glad you liked it! ☀️

[@dizzysdiamonds]

What a great explanation ....my 9 yr old daughter loves it !!!! Thnx so much ...

[@bodhran]

Happy to help!

[@theclephane2914]

Wow! That helped me so much!!!!

[@t.lnnnnx]

wooww the last method is incredible

[@bodhran]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@recreationalliesure.6330]

Please make some more exercises of this kind,, its really helpful 🙏

[@AMIR55312]

This was helpful as I don't really have what we call "a sense of rhythm "and using these exercises seems to help build that.

[@bodhran]

Delighted it was helpful - I believe rhythm is developed with practice so keep going!

[@adityab10]

Wow excellent presentation....thanks ruairi..

[@bodhran]

Thank you 🙏🙏

[@akontagh822]

Great teaching

[@rontan8433]

The stump stump knee knee method is really useful to learn rhythm techniques

[@Samixlixie]

Omg it was really helpful and working great for a beginner 🤧💖

[@maikisstar8782]

Thank you!

[@heinzrobens3439]

🙂utmost useful to awaken inner rhythmus !

[@WORLDDRUMCLUB]

Nice video and lesson, Ruairi. Those trained in Orff-Schulwerk will find some of these ideas and suggestions familiar. It's always good advice to start in the body, voice, and simple movements before moving to instruments. We all have our "native instruments" we can develop and you provide some accessible ways to do that, in rhythm. Great job!

[@bodhran]

Thank you so much Kalani, you lead the way! Ruairi

[@TrillBuddhist369]

As a dancer this really , is insightful, I appreciate you

[@mongoloolloo]

Very good concentrated explanation.

[@bodhran]

Glad it was helpful!

[@littleealingmusic9037]

Super clear, Ruairi. Thank you for putting this together. I'll be showing my kids at school - I know they'll love it. Syllables....!

[@bodhran]

Delighted to read this A! Thanks for the kind words and Happy New Year!

[@briellef.4712]

Keep doing these videos, you're really good at teaching :)

[@bodhran]

Thanks for the kind words! More on the way

[@lifeonmars1044]

Thank you, Ruairi! 😁

[@bodhran]

Thank you for watching 🙏🙌

[@Gbwdoings]

I love this so much

[@leabaker7278]

So helpful in training Acappella singers!

[@justiceteacher8906]

Great i have learned from this

[@gtxpizzaplug]

My string teacher in high-school would give us sight reading exercises by making us say the note name, clap the note timing, and to tap our foot to the pulse. Talk about tightening up.

[@Marcvitoria]

Excelente aula!!

[@sheltersonic5499]

never someone explained the timing so well,even at school,thank you so much,could you explain how to match melody to the rhythm

[@NotJenOrJane]

I will try this with my 9 year old son. Thanks for the fun ideas

[@bodhran]

Great stuff! Thanks for watching :-)