FAQ
Common questions, straight answers.
Getting Started
What is RITHM?
An interactive music theory platform. Learn to read notes, train your ear, and understand harmony through free browser-based games.
Is it free?
There's a free plan with core lessons across every game, the 24-week curriculum, leaderboards, and up to 3 practice sessions per day. Pro unlocks unlimited sessions, streak protection, advanced exercises, full progress analytics, and an ad-free experience. Create an account to save progress and appear on leaderboards.
Do I need musical experience?
No. Every game has a Beginner level that starts from scratch. Move up when you're ready.
What devices work?
Any device with a browser. Headphones recommended for audio games.
Games & Learning
What games are available?
13 games across three categories:
Reading
Reading
- Note Reading — Read notes on the staff (tutorial)
- Chord Reading — Read chords on the staff (tutorial)
- Scale Reading — Identify scales from notation (tutorial)
- Duration Reading — Read note duration symbols (tutorial)
- Key Signatures — Identify key signatures on the staff (tutorial)
- Pitch Identification — Develop your ear for pitch (tutorial)
- Interval Training — Recognize the distance between notes (tutorial)
- Chord Identification — Identify chord types by ear (tutorial)
- Scale Identification — Recognize scales by their step patterns (tutorial)
- Duration Hearing — Distinguish note durations by ear (tutorial)
- Chord Progressions — Identify progressions using Roman numerals (tutorial)
- Synthesizer — Experiment with sound and practice concepts (tutorial)
- Metronome — Practice rhythm and timing (tutorial)
What do the difficulty levels mean?
- Beginner — Fewer options, more time.
- Intermediate — More concepts introduced.
- Advanced — Full range, real challenge.
- Time Trial — Answer as many as you can before time runs out.
No sound?
Browsers require a click before playing audio. Tap 'Enable Audio' if you see it. Check your volume. Refresh if needed.
What are achievements?
Badges earned by reaching milestones — mastery achievements for high scores at Advanced difficulty, plus practice streak achievements for consecutive days of practice. Check your profile to see progress.
What are friend challenges?
Head-to-head competitions with friends. Visit a friend's profile, pick a game and difficulty, set your score. Your friend has limited time to beat it.
Account & Progress
Do I need an account?
No. Play anything without signing up. An account lets you:
- Save progress and sync across devices
- Track stats and accuracy
- Compete on leaderboards
- Earn achievements
- Challenge friends
- Maintain practice streaks
How do leaderboard scores work?
Complete 10+ attempts in a game, then submit your score. Scores are tracked per game and difficulty. Weekly scores reset every Monday.
Missing verification email?
Check spam. If it's not there, visit the resend page to request a new one.
Technical
Dark mode?
Toggle with the sun/moon icon in the nav bar. Follows your system preference by default.
Keyboard shortcuts?
The synthesizer maps to your keyboard like a piano (A=C, W=C#, S=D, etc.). Metronome uses Spacebar. See the Synthesizer Tutorial for the full mapping.
Helpful Links
- Guide — Comprehensive reference for notes, intervals, chords, and scales.
- Tips — Strategies for effective learning and faster progress.
- Curriculum — A structured path from beginner to advanced.
- Leaderboard — Track your scores and compete with other learners.