No paper. No pencil. No subscription.
Just pull out your phone, listen to the rhythm, and type it in – on the train, on your break, wherever you like.
The free rhythm dictation exercise on theorie-musik.de is an interactive online tool for music students, conservatory students, and anyone looking to train their musical ear. Listen to a rhythm and enter it directly as notes – that’s all there is to it!
The exercise is suitable for both beginners and more advanced music theory learners. With 4 difficulty levels, triplets, 6/8 time, a high score system, and a flexible custom mode, practicing stays varied and motivating.
A sense of rhythm isn’t developed by reading about it – it’s developed by practicing. That’s exactly what this tool is for.
You hear a rhythm, enter it using note (Affiliate-Link)¹ buttons, and get instant feedback. That’s it. No installation, no sign-up, no subscription – just jump right in.
What Is a Rhythm Dictation?
A rhythm dictation is an ear training exercise: you hear a rhythm and write it down as notes. It trains your rhythmic ear, your ability to read music, and your feel for time signatures – all at once, right in your browser, completely free.
Who Is the Rhythm Dictation For?
The rhythm dictation on theorie-musik.de is aimed at:
- Music students – ideal for preparing for lessons or exams
- Music theory course participants – ideal for preparing for graded music exams
- Conservatory students – ear training for entrance exams and assessments
- Music A-level students – preparation for music exams
- Hobby musicians – deliberately improve your sense of rhythm
- Music teachers – as a supplement in the classroom
From beginner to expert – with 4 difficulty levels, there’s something for every skill level.
And boredom is guaranteed not to be an issue – the possible rhythms are so varied that hardly any two dictations are alike. Every round brings a new challenge for your sense of rhythm!
The 4 Difficulty Levels
Choose the right difficulty level at the start. The game automatically adjusts note (Affiliate-Link)¹ values, time signature, and tempo.
🟢 Beginner
Whole, half, and quarter notes plus their rests in 4/4 time at 60 BPM. Perfect for getting started. 10 points per correct answer.
🟡 Intermediate
Additionally includes eighth notes, dotted notes & sixteenth-note (Affiliate-Link)¹ groups in 4/4 time at 80 BPM. For learners with basic knowledge. 25 points.
🔴 Hard
Triplets and eighth rests are added. 6/8 time is possible (40%). Tempo: 100 BPM. 35 points.
🟣 Expert
All note (Affiliate-Link)¹ values with complex rhythm patterns, frequently in 6/8 time (60%) at 120 BPM. 50 points.
🎛️ Custom Mode – Your Own Settings
Those who want to practice in a more targeted way can configure the rhythm dictation entirely to their own preferences in Custom Mode. Instead of a fixed difficulty level, you set everything yourself:
- Note (Affiliate-Link)¹ values & rests – Choose exactly the note (Affiliate-Link)¹ values you want to practice: from whole notes to sixteenth notes, with or without dotted notes and triplets
- Time signature – 4/4 or 6/8 time
- Tempo (BPM) – Freely adjustable so you can practice at your own pace
Custom Mode is especially useful for working on specific weak spots – for example, practicing only triplets, or training 6/8 time at a slow tempo. No high score, but maximum freedom!
How the Rhythm Dictation Works – Step by Step
1. Choose a difficulty level
Select one of the four difficulty levels at the start. The game begins immediately – no sign-up required.
2. Listen to the rhythm
Click ▶ Play to play the rhythm. You can replay it as many times as you like. A beat indicator helps you follow along.
3. Enter the rhythm as notes
Enter the rhythm you heard using the note (Affiliate-Link)¹ buttons:
- Note (Affiliate-Link)¹ values: Whole, half, quarter, eighth, sixteenth
- Rests: From whole rest to sixteenth rest
- Dotted notes: Activated with the dot button
- Triplets: Quarter and eighth triplets
- Cursor: Click a note (Affiliate-Link)¹ to delete it or add a dot
4. Check your answer
Click ✅ Check. If the rhythm is correct, you earn points. A wrong answer costs you one life ❤️.
5. End the game & high score
Click 🏁 Finish to end the game and enter your name on the high score leaderboard.
Lives & Game Over
You start with 4 lives ❤️❤️❤️❤️. Each wrong answer costs one life. When all lives are gone, the Game Over screen appears with:
- Your final score
- The correct solution displayed as notes
- The option to enter your name on the high score leaderboard
- A 🔄 Play Again button
Keyboard Shortcuts for Desktop Users
Those practicing rhythm dictation on a computer can use handy keyboard shortcuts:
← →
Move cursor
Del / ⌫
Delete note (Affiliate-Link)¹
.
Toggle dotted note (Affiliate-Link)¹
Esc
DeselectDownloadCopy
Rhythm Dictation on Smartphone & Tablet
The rhythm dictation works fully on mobile devices. An optimized touch panel appears at the bottom of the screen with all note (Affiliate-Link)¹ buttons, rests, triplets, and actions – perfect for practicing on the go.
More Exercises on theorie-musik.de
Those looking to further improve their ear training and music theory knowledge will find more free exercises on theorie-musik.de, such as:
- Writing triads – major, minor, diminished, and augmented
- Interval training – reading and identifying intervals
- Writing notes – practice writing notes correctly
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a rhythm dictation?
A rhythm dictation is a music exercise in which you write down a rhythm you’ve heard as notes. It trains your rhythmic ear and your ability to notate rhythms.
Who is the rhythm dictation suitable for?
The exercise is suitable for music students, conservatory students, music teachers, and anyone who wants to improve their ear – from beginner to expert.
Is the rhythm dictation free?
Yes! The rhythm dictation on theorie-musik.de is completely free and can be used without signing up.
Which note (Affiliate-Link)¹ values appear in the rhythm dictation?
Depending on the difficulty level, whole, half, quarter, eighth, and sixteenth notes appear, as well as rests, dotted notes, and triplets.
Which time signatures are used?
At the Beginner and Intermediate levels, only 4/4 time is used. From the Hard level onward, 6/8 time is also possible.
What is Custom Mode?
In Custom Mode, you can set the note (Affiliate-Link)¹ values, time signature, tempo, and number of bars yourself, allowing you to practice specific rhythms in a targeted way – with no score pressure or life limit.
Can I use the rhythm dictation on my phone?
Yes, the exercise is fully optimized for mobile and works on smartphones and tablets.
Kostenlose online Übungen
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