The rhythm trainer is meant to help with subdivision accuracy and internal timing. Instead of playing an instrument, you follow the random rhythms this widget create. You tap them out on the large tap pad using your mouse, trackpad, or even your computer keyboard. Using the keyboard give you a more tactile feel, though it is not quite as quick.
Your accuracy are measured against a sixteenth-note grid. The main interface display a sixteen-step grid representing a single four-four measure. On the grid are red dots indicating the rhythm you should be repeating back. When playing back you see a playhead running at the top of screen as an indicator of current location of the beat as it happens. Then there’s another lane below the grid where your tap locations gets recorded for direct comparison with target rhythm. You can see if you are dragging or rushing.
How to Use the Rhythm Trainer
The rhythm deck dropdown menu allow you to select various levels of rhythmic complexity. For starters, the quarter note option will give you some easy on-the-beat patterns to get the hang of things. Next is the syncopation deck which adds off-beat accents to keep your coordination on its toes. Finally, the sixteenth-note deck gives you most dense patterns for practicing more advanced subdivisions. Select a deck based off your current comfort level and advance when you’re able to hit it accurately.
Take your time to study the printed rhythm card well before you begin tapping. Tap the clap button to hear an audio preview. It starts with a four beat count-in, followed by pattern itself. This allows you to get phrasing in your head so that when you do go to re-create the pattern, you have something to work from. Pay attention to the way the subdivisions link up between bars and to where accents fall. Best not to attempt to play until you have an idea of what it is you are playing.
When you’re ready, hit the tap take button and go for it! Listen carefully: there are four separate clicks that set the time signature and tempo. Right when the fourth click sounds, get started by tapping out the rhythm. Taps appear on grid as vertical bars beneath. This is how the system knows where your taps line up relative to sixteenth-note positions.
For some additional guidance, you might like to experiment with shadow mode. It gives you a gentle audio guide on each onset and plays back at only three quarters (75%) of your selected tempo. This lets you follow along and learn the pattern slowly, then challenge yourself at full tempo. Use this for learning complex rhythms in bite-size portions.
Adjust the tempo slider to set the speed of the exercise. You can play slower so that you have longer to hear the beat and tap with accuracy. Or you can push your hand-eye coordination and internal clock by playing faster. Begin slowly and work up to higher BPM’s when you’re tapping consistantly.
Use the volume slider to control how loudly you want to hear the clicks and claps. While looking at the controls, use the T key on your keyboard or the space bar to tap. That way you don’t have to keep moving your hand back to the mouse and can play more fluidly. For rhythm games in particular, the space bar is typically used instead because it’s closer to a drum trigger or foot pedal. Make sure no other text fields are selected beforehand so you know where your taps will go.
Once you tap the screen, the widget analyzes your performance and gives an instant response. The widget tracks how many times you missed a note, tapped too early or late (the offset), and then tallies up overall accuracy. To get an accurate take, you should of be able to tap on time without missing notes or tapping too early or late. At the bottom of the control panel is where you can see how well you did along with your current run number. From here, you’ll know which parts needs more work in terms of timing.
Once you have completed your take and want to do it again (or mess up), simply hit the discard button. This will clear your take from the lane and reset the evaluation on that rhythm card so you can try again. No need to deal yourself another one of those patterns. Expect to practice several times before you get the feel for a rhythm, particularly at faster tempos.
The widget includes a quick reference guide that expands when you click on the how to play button. The panel sums up the basic controls along with keyboard mapping for quick review. Additionally, there’s a fullscreen button that will expand the interface and remove distractions as you practice. Getting a bigger picture of the grid helps you see the timing windows more clearly.
Start with simple rhythm then progress to intricate syncopation. Practicing at a steady pace at a reasonable speed is far better for developing an internal clock compared to irregular sessions at top speed. Observe where you tap in relation to the grid lines. As you practice, you’ll see that not only does your run length increase but also your mean offset reduce. Begin with a rhythm deck at a speed you can play but will stretch you. Count into the take after listening to the demo and deal yourself a card. Use the shadow mode for phrasing if it helps. As you get used to following the pattern, slowly raise the tempo. Practice further until you have both internal timing and rhythmic accuracy.