Editing Rhythm (section)

===Unit and gesture===

A [[Duration (music)|durational pattern]] that synchronises with a [[pulse (music)|pulse]] or pulses on the underlying [[metric level]] may be called a ''rhythmic unit''. These may be classified as:
*Metric – even patterns, such as steady [[eighth note]]s or pulses;
*Intrametric – confirming patterns, such as [[dotted note|dotted]] [[eighth note|eighth]]-[[sixteenth note]] and [[swung note|swing]] patterns;
*Contrametric – non-confirming, or [[syncopated]] patterns; and
*Extrametric – irregular patterns, such as [[tuplet]]s.

{{Image frame|border=no|caption=From left to right: ''metric'', ''intrametric'', ''contrametric'', and ''extrametric'' rhythmic units|align=center|content=<score lang="lilypond" sound="1">
<<
    \new RhythmicStaff {
    \set Score.tempoHideNote = ##t \tempo 8 = 108
    \set Staff.midiInstrument = #"woodblock"
        \xNotesOn
        \time 2/4
        \bar "||" [c16 16 16 16] [16 16 16 16] \bar "||" [16 16 16 16] [16 16 16 16] |
        \bar "||" [16 16 16 16] [16 16 16 16] \bar "||" [16 16 16 16] [16 16 16 16]
    }
    \new RhythmicStaff {
    \set Staff.midiInstrument = #"agogo"
        [c8 8 8 8] | 8. 16 8. 16 |
        16 8 16~16 8 16 | \tuplet 3/4{16 16 16} \tuplet 3/4{16 16 16}
    }
>></score>}}

A rhythmic gesture is any [[Duration (music)|durational pattern]] that, in contrast to the rhythmic unit, does not occupy a period of time equivalent to a pulse or pulses on an underlying metric level. It may be described according to its beginning and ending or by the rhythmic units it contains. Rhythms that begin on a strong pulse are ''thetic'', those beginning on a weak pulse are ''anacrustic'' and those beginning after a rest or tied-over note are called ''initial rest''. Endings on a strong pulse are ''strong'', on a weak pulse, ''weak'' and those that end on a strong or weak upbeat are ''upbeat''.{{sfn|Winold|1975|p=239}}