BEAT & RHYTHM
The words we speak also have rhythm. Speak out the word: NEPAL. It takes two breaths to speak out this word. In other words, this word has two syllables - the first is NE- and the second being -PAL.
Now, read aloud the following words and notice how many syllables each word has.
Kath-man-du (3 syllables)
Hi-ma-la-ya (4 syllables)
mo-ther (2 syllables)
Dar-jee-ling (3 syllables)
Bi-rat-na-gar (4 syllables)
Dha-ran (2 syllables)
In a similar way, in music too, series of sounds may be arranged for a definite duration of time. These sounds are separated into many equal parts known as RHYTHM. And each group of rhythm may be divided into even smaller equal unit called BEAT.
Beats and Rhythm groupings are necessary to understand and practice before playing melody lines because rhythm is the backbone of any song or a musical composition.
Beats are the units of rhythm in a song or a musical composition, and they work in the same way the syllables work in speaking out the word. The number of beats in a measure depends on the Time signature and the speed of the musical composition.
The Time Signature is placed at the beginning of the staff which determines how the beats are arranged in rhythmic groupings and how such groupings are allocated in a set of measures.
COUNTING BEATS
Following are 3 types of simple rhythmic structures. Study and practice them as carefully as possible in the beginning so as to enable you to further dealing with more complex rhythmic structures.
While doing the counting, use any of the following methods:
(a) Clap your hands (b) Tap your feet (c) Use your finger tips alternately.
[REMEMBER: The time duration for each counting in all the three exercises must be regular/even.]
Ex. 1: This is in 3/4 meter which are measured out in 4 measures. Look at the counting numbers at the bottom and count the beats as
Ex. 2: This is in 2/4 meter, and count the beats as 
Ex. 3: This is a 4/4 meter and count the beats as 
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