In order to characterise an audio signal, a sequence of quantified application points in time for each of at least two audio sources is prepared on the basis of a quantification grid (1). A common period length at the basis of the at least two audio sources is determined using the sequences of application points (12). The sequence of application points is then subdivided into corresponding subsequences (14), the length of a subsequence being equal to the common period length. Finally, the subsequences for the first audio source are combined into a first combined subsequence and the subsequences for the second audio source are combined into a second combined subsequence (16), using a pattern histogram, for example, in order to characterise the audio signal, for example, its rhythm, speed or type, on the basis of the first combined subsequence and of the second combined subsequence.