Divisive rhythm

In music a divisive rhythm is a rhythm in which a larger period of time is divided into smaller rhythmic units, this can be contrasted with additive rhythms, which are larger periods of time constructed from sequences of smaller rhythmic units added to the end of the previous unit. European metres are divisive. For example: 4/4 consist of one measure (whole note: 1) divided into a stronger first beat and slightly less strong second beat (half notes:12), which are in turn divided, by two weaker beats (quarter notes:1234), and again divided into still weaker beats (eight notes:1&2&3&4&).