This paper shows how to teach a mathematics for liberal arts class in an inquiry-based way using ideas from music to launch the mathematical activities. No musical knowledge is required to understand and teach the material. The main activity is analyzing the differences between two kinds of rhythmic palindromes. The content is mathematically interesting, and at the same time accessible to all audiences. Various statements can be proved rigorously without cumbersome notation, symbols, or algebraic computations. Most of the content was developed in collaboration with students in a mathematics for liberal arts class "Mathematics & Music" at Westfield State University. (Contains 13 figures and 2 footnotes.)