Practice

The Practice (れんしゅ^?, Renshi ~yu) is a section that plays before starting a Rhythm Game or Endless Game. Typically, the practice will explain to the player all the actions they are going to do in the game itself. In every title in the Rhythm Heaven franchise, the practice is present for every game before the credits, and is not available for Remixes or arrangements (with some exceptions).

Rhythm Tengoku

In Rhythm Tengoku, each practice uses one of three variations of a single song (called "Tutorial Music 1", "Tutorial Music 2" and "Tutorial Music 3" on the Rhythm Tengoku Complete Music Collection soundtrack) as well as a few game-specific practice themes. The practice itself will present the player with each cue in the game, and the player only needs to do a set successfully in order to advance. Games without a practice are not distinguished in the game's description.

Rhythm Tengoku (Arcade)

In Rhythm Tengoku (Arcade), every practice returns unaltered in the 1P mode. Every game from the first five stages which originally did not have a practice now have an animated tutorial explaining the game, without allowing the player to try it out for themselves. In the 2P mode, every game has the animated tutorial, including the arrangements. The games from the Extra Stage do not have practices in either mode, however.

Rhythm Heaven

In Rhythm Heaven, each practice uses a new arrangement of the original practice theme (now called "Let's Practice!" in the game's "Listen to Music" section). The player needs to complete each set successfully 3 times. Games without a practice are distinguished with the line "(And no practice for you!)" in the game's description.

Rhythm Heaven Fever

In Rhythm Heaven Fever, every game has it's own practice theme, mainly a chiptune version of the game's song (with exceptions). The player needs to complete a varying amount of sets to advance the practice, which are shown with a counter. The games also include a Demonstration (ぉ手本中・・・^?, ~O tehon-chū...) if the player spends too long on a set, in which case they can press the 1 button to have the game automatically play the section to demonstrate the timing. The Demonstration is not available for the Extra Games, which also return to requiring only one successful set without a counter, and they also use a new arrangement of the old music (called "Practice Theme" in the game's "Listen to Music" option). Games without a practice are distinguished with the line "(No Practice.)" (or "(And no practice for you)" in Beat the Beat: Rhythm Paradise) in the game's description.

Rhythm Heaven Megamix

In Rhythm Heaven Megamix, every single game, regardless of origin, uses a chiptune version of their song during their practice and also need a few completed sets with a counter to advance, much like in Rhythm Heaven Fever. The original practice theme is nowhere to be found in this game. Similar to the Demonstrations, this game will show a "beat map" of the current set if the player spends too long during the practice, showing exactly how the player is supposed to play the set. Games without a practice are distinguished with a plate reading "No practice" in their description.

List of practice sections

Karate Man

In the Rhythm Tengoku version of Karate Man, the game's practice starts off by asking the player to hit 3 pots without providing music. After doing so, the next set asks the same thing of the player, however this time the pots are timed to a jingle (which is used again at the very end of the game). After doing so, the real game begins. Interestingly, the "Hit 2!", "Hit 3!" and Flow Meter mechanics are not explained during the practice. Karate Man 2 and Karate Man Tempo Up! do not have practices. Karate Man 2P and Karate Man 2 (GBA)#Karate Man 2 2P both use a non-interactive demonstration instead of a practice. The short version of the game in Rhythm Heaven Megamix is also short, being only one set with one pot. It doesn't explain the "Hit 3!" cue which also appears in the game. Karate Man Returns! does not have a practice.
In the Rhythm Heaven version of Karate Man, the player first practices a set of pots, ending with a "Hit 3!", with the caption "Tap to punch and send things flying, karate-style!". In the next set, the player must kick without anything flying at them and without any music. The caption reads "After tapping to punch, hold and flick to kick. Try it on your own." After performing four kicks this way, the player moves on to the next set. Here, the player does a set of pots including a barrel with a bomb inside (which unlike the real game has the word "bomb" with an arrow pointing to it) at the end. The caption is "Coping with Bombs When you hear me say "Punch, kick," punch and then kick!". Interestingly, this set starts with no pots flying in, then a lone "Punch, Kick!" voice clip, after which the set starts for real. The next set is comprised of a pot, a "Hit 3!" and two barrels. The caption is "You may have figured this out, but watch out after those lightbulbs." After this set, the real game begins. Karate Man 2 does not have practice. The Rhythm Heaven Megamix version of the game shortens it, the only set includes a pot, a lightbulb and a barrel. The caption reads "Press and hold A to break the barrel... Then release A to kick the bomb away!"
In the Rhythm Heaven Fever version of Karate Man, the practice is played in a similar order to that of Rhythm Heaven's version. It begins with a set of pots ending with a "Hit 3!", the caption reading "Press A to punch the objects flying your way." In the next set, the player is asked to perform a combo five times without any things to punch or music. The caption is "To do a combo, hold A and B, then release." The next set is comprised of a pot, a light bulb and a combo. The caption is "Watch for lightbulbs!" after which, the real game begins. Karate Man 2 does not have a practice. Interestingly, the Rhythm Heaven Megamix version of the game is kept unaltered, aside from the second caption being changed to "Hold B to start the combo, and release to finish." due to changes in controls, and the third caption being changed to "Get ready when you see a light bulb!"
The practice for Karate Man Senior begins with two groups of multiple punches ending with a single rock. The caption is "Press A to punch." The next set is identical to Karate Man Kicks!'s practice, with the caption "Hold A to punch. → Release to kick! (The yellow light bulb is your cue.)" The next set is the same as Karate Man Combos!'s practice from the second set onward. The captions are "Hold B to start the combo, and release to finish." and "Hold B to start. → Release to finish. (The blue light bulb is your cue.)" Interestingly, the presence of single pots and the timing for the combos in the practice don't match up to what is present in the real game.

Rhythm Tweezers

In the Rhythm Tengoku version of Rhythm Tweezers, the game's practice starts off by asking the player to pluck out 4 hairs in a row on the vegetable's face while the practice music is played. After doing so, the next set asks the same thing of the player, however this time the curly hairs grow on the next veggie's face and the player must pluck out 2 normal hairs and 2 curly hairs. After doing so, the next set asks the same thing of the player, but there are now multiple hairs growing on yet another veggie and the player must alter between A and D-pad to pluck out 5 multiple hairs and the normal ones. then the real game begins. Rhythm Tweezers 2 does not have a practice. Rhythm Tweezers 2P and Rhythm Tweezers 2 2P both use a non-interactive demonstration instead of a practice. The short version of the game in Rhythm Heaven Megamix is also short, being only two sets with normal hairs and the new one. Harry Onion asks the player to use both A and D-pad to pluck out a few hairs growing. It doesn't explain the curly hair and multiple hair cues in this game, but Rhythm Tweezers 2 does explain these cues explained by that onion.