Short answer: The beat is the steady underlying pulse of the music, while rhythm is the pattern of notes and rests played over that pulse.
Many beginners use the words beat and rhythm as if they mean the same thing. Although they are closely connected, they describe two different parts of music.
Imagine a sheet of graph paper. The grid represents the beat, while the drawing you make on top of it represents the rhythm.
The Beat: The Invisible Foundation
The beat is the regular pulse you naturally tap your foot or nod your head to when listening to music. In most pop songs, the beat is organised into groups of four (4/4 time). It continues steadily from beginning to end, regardless of what the instruments are playing.
The Rhythm: The Music You Play
Rhythm is the actual pattern of notes and rests you perform on the piano. Sometimes the rhythm falls exactly on the beat, while at other times it falls between the beats.
You might hold a single note for several beats or play several quick notes within one beat. These rhythmic patterns are what give music its character and energy.
How They Work Together
When you practise piano, your goal is to place every note accurately in relation to the beat. The beat stays constant, while the rhythm changes throughout the song.
The better you understand the relationship between beat and rhythm, the easier it becomes to play with good timing and a steady groove.
