Creating Rhythm Patterns

A rhythm pattern is a set of sounds arranged in an order that repeats. It is like a pattern in art or math — once you learn the core pattern, you repeat it over and over.

Here is a simple four-beat pattern:

Clap, clap, stomp, pat

Say it out loud: CLAP CLAP STOMP PAT. Now do it with your body! Clap your hands twice, stomp your foot once, pat your thighs once. That is one cycle of the pattern.

Now repeat it: CLAP CLAP STOMP PAT, CLAP CLAP STOMP PAT, CLAP CLAP STOMP PAT...

Keep it going! Each time through the pattern should take the same amount of time. Keep a steady beat.

Here are more four-beat patterns to try:

Pat, pat, clap, stomp

Stomp, clap, stomp, clap

Snap, snap, pat, pat

Clap, stomp, pat, snap

Each pattern has a different feel. Some feel bouncy, some feel marching, some feel funky. The ORDER of the sounds changes the whole groove!