Meaning & use
rhythm instrument
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountable
A musical instrument that mainly provides or emphasizes the beat rather than the melody.
Grammar: Countable: one rhythm instrument, two rhythm instruments.
Patterns
- play a rhythm instrument
- a rhythm instrument in a band
The drums are the main rhythm instrument in a rock band.
She teaches children to play a simple rhythm instrument like a tambourine.
In this piece, the piano acts as a rhythm instrument, keeping a steady pulse.
Word forms
| plural | rhythm instruments |
|---|
Common combinations
- play a rhythm instrument
- He can play a rhythm instrument and also sing.
- main rhythm instrument
- The bass is the main rhythm instrument in jazz.
- rhythm instrument section
- The rhythm instrument section includes drums and bass.
Synonyms and how they differ
- percussion instrument
- A narrower term: percussion instruments are hit or shaken, while rhythm instruments can also include plucked strings or keyboards played rhythmically.
Word family
- rhythm noun
- A regular repeated pattern of sound or movement.
- rhythmic adjective
- Having a regular beat or pattern.
Commonly confused: rhythm instrument or rhythm section?
rhythm instrument vs rhythm section
The rhythm section is the group of players (drums, bass, etc.), not a single instrument.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'rhythm instrument' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Drums keep the beat, so they are a rhythm instrument. The violin usually plays melody, not rhythm; a rhythm instrument is not for writing notes; and not all rhythm instruments use a bow.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “rhythm instrument”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.