Downbeat

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The term Downbeat has several meanings including as a description of a beat in music, and as a genre or style of music.

Contents 1 Downbeat: music theory 2 Downbeat: music genre 3 References 4 External links 5 See also

[edit] Downbeat: music theory

In music performance and music theory, the "downbeat" is the first beat of a measure in music. It is named after the downward stroke of the director or conductor's baton at the start of each measure. This differentiates it from the back beat on the even beats.

In modern music, using common time (4/4), emphasis is usually placed on the third beat or on the back beat, whereas emphasis is rarely put on the downbeat first beat, though a notable exception is in funk where James Brown dubbed this type of beat "The One".^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Downbeat: music genre

"Downbeat" is another name for the musical genre also called downtempo, lounge, Trip Hop or chillout.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• properlychilled.com - A website covering downtempo music and culture.
• Tripofagia.com - Website covering downtempo scene.

[edit] See also

• Down Beat magazine