musical timing
When notes land
Musical timing is the placement of sounds relative to a beat or rhythmic framework.
Good timing means notes land precisely where intended—whether on the beat, slightly ahead, or deliberately behind.
A musician with excellent timing locks in with other players; one with poor timing sounds out of sync.
Beyond accuracy, timing encompasses feel: the subtle push and pull that gives music its groove.
Her timing on the drums was impeccable.
- tempo markingScore's speed instruction
- allegroBrisk tempo marking
- phrasingManner of expressing something
- beatRhythmic pulse or strike
- measureUnit of quantity
adagio · accelerando · ensemble · subdivision · rubato · ritardando · pulse · presto · polyrhythm · conductor · cueing · count off · largo · upstroke · click track · internal clock · moderato · syncopation
- precision timingsynchronization, rhythm, tempo, countdown, beat
- musical theateract, scene, cast recordings, Evita, number
musical timingarrhythmia
Abnormal cardiac rhythm
poor timing · rushing · dragging · mistiming · out of sync
music, musical, musically, musicality, musician, musicians, musicals, timing, timers