Rhythmic pattern (7)
I believe the answer is:
cadence
'rhythmic pattern' is the definition.
(I know that cadence is a type of rhythmic pattern)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for cadence that I've seen before include "Modulation of the voice" , "Vocal modulation or inflection" , "Final musical sequence" , "Close of a musical phrase" , "Tonal inflection" .)