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14.6 · Dividing the Beat

Name that rhythm

Strip a song down to claps, no pitches, no chords, just lengths, and you can still name it. Rhythm is a fingerprint, and every fingerprint below is written out in rhythm symbols.

Three fingerprints

Each song appears as claps first, with its rhythm written out. Guess before you reveal.

q q h · q q h — the most clappable chorus alive.
A skipping pickup, then a lilt in three.
Stomp, stomp, clap — the fingerprint needs no melody at all.

The twist: two songs, one rhythm

Now clap the openings of Twinkle, Twinkle and Mary Had a Little Lamb. They're identical. Six even notes and a hold, the same written line for both. Rhythm alone isn't always enough; the best fingerprints need distinctive lengths.

Game · Name that rhythm

1 / 4

Claps only. Which song is it?

Listen first. Then answer.

Quiz

1 / 3

Listen to the claps: which song?

Listen first. Then answer.
Score 100% on every quiz and game to complete this lesson.Meet the kit →