Musical Time: Downbeats and Upbeats

An illuminating learn-by-doing introduction to the rhythmic concepts of Downbeats and Upbeats

Downbeats and Upbeats in Action (YouTube)


Downbeats and Upbeats Video Takeaways

  • Musical time is analog, not digital.
  • Musical time never stops.
  • Musical time is always flowing, especially between the beats.
  • Downbeats and upbeats are not created equal.
  • Downbeats are more important than upbeats because they create the rhythmic scaffolding for the music.
  • Down beats are places where the most important musical events are expected to happen.
  • Such understanding of meter and rhythm is fundamental to understanding how melodies work… because the placement of notes within the meter is essential to understanding how a pitch sounds, feels, and functions.

learn more… Musical Time


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