---

title: Build Rhythms

layout: ../../layouts/MainLayout.astro

---

import { MiniRepl } from '../../docs/MiniRepl';

Note:

- this has been (partly) translated from https://tidalcycles.org/docs/patternlib/howtos/buildrhythms

- this only sounds good with `samples('github:tidalcycles/dirt-samples')` in prebake

# Build Rhythms

This page will teach you how to get started writing rhythms using different techniques. It is a good way to learn Strudel in a more intuitive way.

## From a simple to a complex rhythm

Simple bass drum - snare:

<MiniRepl client:idle tune={`s("bd sd").slow(2)`} />

Let's pick a different snare sample:

<MiniRepl client:idle tune={`s("bd sd:3").slow(2)`} />

Now, we are going to change the rhythm:

<MiniRepl client:idle tune={`s("bd*2 [~ sd:3]").slow(2)`} />

And add some toms:

<MiniRepl client:idle tune={`s("bd*2 [[~ lt] sd:3] lt:1 [ht mt*2]").slow(2)`} />

Start to transform, shift a quarter cycle every other cycle:

<MiniRepl

  client:idle

  tune={`s("bd*2 [[~ lt] sd:3] lt:1 [ht mt*2]")

.every(2, early(.25)).slow(2)`}

/>

Pattern the shift amount:

<MiniRepl

  client:idle

  tune={`s("bd*2 [[~ lt] sd:3] lt:1 [ht mt*2]")

.every(2, early("<.25 .125 .5>")).slow(2)`}

/>

Add some patterned effects:

<MiniRepl

  client:idle

  tune={`s("bd*2 [[~ lt] sd:3] lt:1 [ht mt*2]")

.every(2, early("<.25 .125 .5>"))

.shape("<0 .5 .3>")

.room(saw.range(0,.2).slow(4))

.slow(2)`}

/>

More transformation:

<MiniRepl

  client:idle

  tune={`s("bd*2 [[~ lt] sd:3] lt:1 [ht mt*2]")

.every(2, early("<.25 .125 .5>"))

.shape("<0 .5 .3>")

.room(saw.range(0,.2).slow(4))

.jux(id, rev, x=>x.speed(2))

.slow(2)`}

/>

## Another rhythmic construction

Let's start with a sequence:

<MiniRepl client:idle tune={`n("0 0 [2 0] [2 3]").s("feel").speed(1.5).slow(2)`} />

We add a bit of flavour:

<MiniRepl client:idle tune={`n("0 <0 4> [2 0] [2 3]").s("feel").speed(1.5).slow(2)`} />

Swap the samples round every other cycle:

TODO: implement `rot`