A rhythmic unit is a durational pattern which occupies a period of time equivalent to a pulse or pulses on an underlying metric level, as opposed to a rhythmic gesture. Rhythmic units may be classified as:
Metric: even-note patterns, such as steady eighth notes or pulses.
Intrametric: confirming patterns, such as dotted eighth-sixteenth note and swing patterns.
Contrametric: non-confirming, or syncopated patterns.
A rhythmic gesture is a durational pattern which, in contrast to a rhythmicunit, does not occupy a period of time equivalent to a pulse or pulses on an underlying metric level.
They may be described according to their beginnings and endings or as to the rhythmicunits they contain.
Beginnings on a strong pulse are thetic, a weak pulse, anacrustic, and those beginning after a rest or tied-over note are called initial rest.
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