A musical beat is an important element of music, and is composed of three components: CADENCE, RHYTHM, and TEMPO. CADENCE is the pattern of strong and weak beats in a piece of music, and is typically seven letters long. RHYTHM is the pattern of long and short sounds and silences in a piece of music, and is usually six letters long. TEMPO is the speed of a piece of music, and is usually five letters long. Together, these three components create the musical beat.