There’s a lot of confusion out there regarding the words rhythm, timing, and rhythmicality in dance. Understanding these terms from a dancer’s point of view is important in teaching dance or learning choreography.
Knowing the words associated with music theory will help any dancer become more musical (being able to express oneself freely and confidently to music), which is a key skill when it comes to attaining a professional level of dance. Music theory for dancers is important. Here’s why.
What Is Rhythm?
The word “rhythm” has many definitions, some are relevant to dance and some are not. It can be a confusing concept.
Colloquially, to have “rhythm” means to have a natural feel for the music and to be able to coordinate your movements to it.
For dance, the way I define “rhythm” is how the dancer uses the beats in the music. For example, if the beats are counted “1, 2, 3, 4” and the dancer makes a step or movement on beat 1, 3, and 4, then the rhythm is “1,3,4”.
This would be the technical definition of “rhythm”.
What Is Timing?
Timing for a dancer means that the timing of whatever movement he or she is doing is done exactly when it is supposed to be done.
“She has good timing.”, means that the dancer is very good at hearing exactly when to make a movement and does the pattern or step exactly at that time and not early or late.
Having good timing is a very important skill for a dancer to have.
If you do not have good timing, you can improve it by learning music theory for dancers from the very beginning. Start with very basic music theory and make sure you get each concept before you move forward to the next.

What Is Rhythm In Music?
Rhythm in music is a strong, regular, repeated pattern of sound.
For example, your heartbeat could be a musical rhythm. It could be buh buh buuuuh, buh buh buuuh, buh buh buuuh, etc. This is an example of a strong, regular, repeated pattern of sound. We often hear this pattern in songs.
In its most general sense, rhythm (Greek rhythmos, derived from rhein, “to flow”) is an ordered alternation of contrasting elements. The idea of rhythm also occurs in other arts (e.g., poetry, painting, sculpture, and architecture) as well as in nature (e.g., patterns in bark, leaves, etc.).
What Is Rhythmicality?
When a dancer has good rhythmicality, it means that they have a natural feel for the music and different rhythmic patterns that they are supposed to be dancing to.
It could mean that overall they are responsive to the music and highly attuned to it, or it could mean that they are good at hitting and expressing specific rhythms in the music.
Either way, having good rhythmicality is something that every dancer should work towards whether he or she has an innate talent for it or not. The fastest most effective way to have great rhythmicality is to learn music theory.
For example, learn what the words “beat”, “measure” (or bar), and “downbeat” mean. Learn how to count music. Practice counting music from 1-4, and also from 1-8 with music you enjoy. These basic skills are VITAL to becoming a good, if not a great, dancer.
Dancers and Music
Dancers move to music. Without music, it is unlikely there would be much dancing in human society. Even if the music is just clapping, we as dancers need it as much as we need air in our lungs. Explore music theory for dancers, learn about it, and you’ll become a more proficient and expressive dancer and teacher.
Courses on improving your dance and teaching skills are coming soon. Until then get on the list for real dance data that will increase your joy, fulfillment, and income from dance!