- Tempo refers to the speed or pace of a musical piece. It is measured in beats per minute (BPM), and indicates how fast or slow the music should be played. Tempo can be steady (constant), or it can change throughout a piece of music to create different effects.
- Rhythm, on the other hand, refers to the regular pattern of beats and accents in a piece of music. It involves the arrangement and duration of notes and rests, and creates a sense of pulse or movement in the music. Rhythm can be simple or complex, and it often involves syncopation, where the accents fall on unexpected beats.
In simpler terms, tempo is about the overall speed of a piece of music, while rhythm is about the pattern of beats and accents within that music. Both are essential elements of music, and work together to create the overall feel and structure of a musical piece.