Rhythm
Pulse
The regular underlying flow of time in music.
In plain English
Pulse is closely related to beat, but often describes the felt continuity beneath the notes. You can keep feeling it during rests or silent bars.
Try or listen for this
Keep tapping after a metronome goes silent, then check whether you meet it when it returns.
Why it matters
An internal pulse helps you stay steady without depending on constant external cues.