# Tatum

/ˈteɪtəm/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tatum
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

the smallest unit of time in a piece of music that still feels like it has a steady beat. It is often used to describe the very fast, precise notes played by jazz musicians.

For teachers: the smallest time interval between successive notes in a musical performance that maintains a perceived rhythmic regularity. Named after jazz pianist Art Tatum, it represents the underlying temporal grain of a performance.

## Examples

- The drummer maintained a consistent tatum throughout the fast solo.
- Music researchers use computational models to identify the tatum, which helps them understand how humans perceive complex jazz rhythms.
- By analyzing the tatum of Art Tatum's recordings, musicologists have demonstrated how his rapid-fire melodic runs remain perfectly synchronized with the underlying harmonic structure of the piece.

## Usage notes

- Primarily used in the fields of music theory, ethnomusicology, and music information retrieval.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.