common rhythmic devices

• syncopation - off beat rhythm
• dotted rhythm - long, short (humpty dumpty)
• swing rhythms - lazy humpty dumpty. straight quavers relaxed to a more triplet feel
• triplets - groups of 3 notes in the space of 2
• back beat - strong beats on 2 & 4
• cross rhythm - completely different rhythms being played at the same time
• drum fill - short drum solo between sections
• polyrhythm - many rhythms played at once
• rubato - freedom of tempo within the bar for expression