Why do you remember 𝟭𝟰𝟵𝟮 - 𝟭𝟳𝟳𝟲 - 𝟮𝟲𝟰𝟱 easier than 𝟭𝟰𝟵𝟮𝟭𝟳𝟳𝟲𝟮𝟲𝟰𝟱?

Because your brain loves rhythm.

You probably recognise it. When you need to remember a long number, you automatically divide it into small groups. This is because our short-term memory has a limited capacity. By dividing information into patterned groups, we increase what we can remember. We call this ‘chunking’. And what turns out? Those groups often follow a rhythmic pattern: short-short-short, pause, short-short-short, pause, and so on. That makes it easier to:

to remember

to repeat (think how you say a phone number)

to process (your brain ‘breathes’ with the rhythm)

Rhythm provides a grip here through structure and expectation. It helps your brain remember and reproduce information.

Various neuropsychological studies* show that rhythm activates the brain areas for language, memory and movement. This is why, for example, we remember song lyrics more easily than dry text and why advertising slogans and educational rhymes are often sung or recited rhythmically.

Rhythm also creates collective alignment and flow in teams. At Business Beat, we use this principle in our workshops. With rhythm, literally through percussion, we let teams experience what well-tuned cooperation sounds and feels like. No musical talent required, just a taste for energy, connection and results.

Rianne Albers - Business Unit Manager at Witteveen+Bos

"In a refreshing way, Business Beat took us through the basics of percussion and let us experience working together in harmony. In short, definitely recommended!"

* Based on Patel, 2008; Grahn & Brett, 2007; Wallace, 1994 among others.