Lesson 03.1
Meet the Beat
Music has a steady pulse called the beat. It helps you know when to play and keeps the music moving at a steady pace.
◉ Beginner level
▥ Steady beat
◎ Rhythm
Lesson Progress
What Is a Beat?
A beat is the steady pulse you can feel in music. Think of it like a clock ticking or footsteps while walking.
When the beat stays steady, the space between each beat stays the same.
Example:
1 2 3 4
The numbers should arrive at an even, steady pace. Try saying them aloud without speeding up or slowing down.
Listen to a Steady Beat
Press Start and count 1, 2, 3, 4 with the steady pulse.
Feel the Beat
Start the beat and listen for a few seconds.
Then tap your hand gently on your leg or desk every time you hear the pulse. Try to make each tap arrive with the beat.
Don’t worry about notes yet. The goal is simply to stay with the steady pulse.
Tap the Beat
Listen to the steady pulse, then tap along with each beat.
Keep It Steady
A common beginner mistake is gradually speeding up when something feels easy or slowing down when something becomes difficult.
Try counting:
1 – 2 – 3 – 4
Keep the same amount of time between every number.
Then repeat:
1 – 2 – 3 – 4 | 1 – 2 – 3 – 4
The beat should continue without a gap between the groups.
Keep the Beat Steady
Listen to four beats, then keep tapping at the same steady pace.
Try It on the Piano
Place your right-hand thumb on Middle C.
Play Middle C once on every beat while counting aloud:
1 – 2 – 3 – 4
Continue for several groups of four. Keep listening to the pulse and try not to speed up.
Then turn the pulse off and see whether you can keep approximately the same steady beat yourself.
Check What You Learned
Answer three short questions about the beat.