A programmable rhythm trainer configured to operate on a general purpose computing device including a handheld computing device or a mobile communication device. According to an embodiment, the programmable rhythm trainer comprises a component configured to generate a mix or chain comprising one or more bars and each the bars comprising one or more note arrangements. According to an embodiment, the programmable rhythm trainer comprises a component configured to rearrange one or more of the bars in the chain and save the rearranged chain to memory. According to an embodiment, the programmable rhythm trainer comprises a component configured to rearrange one or more of the note arrangements belonging to one of the bars. According to an embodiment, the programmable rhythm trainer comprises a component configured to set a beats-per-minute for one or more the chains in response to a user input. According to an embodiment, the programmable rhythm trainer comprises a graphical user interface and input for manipulating one or more of the notes, the note arrangements, the bars and/or the chains or mixes. According to an embodiment, the programmable rhythm trainer comprises an application or software program configured to run on computing device. According to another embodiment, the programmable rhythm trainer comprises a portable or handheld device.