ghost notes

Barely there beats

Ghost notes are quietly played or barely audible notes in music, typically in drumming or bass playing, that add rhythmic texture without standing out.

They're felt more than heard—providing groove and swing between the accented beats.

A drummer might play ghost notes on the snare between backbeats: The ghost notes on that funk track are subtle but essential to the feel.

drumming

snare

Device for catching prey

hi-hatPedal-controlled cymbal pair
kickFoot-delivered strike
backbeatAccent on weak beats

stick control · brushes · rimshot · sidestick · tap · rebound · rudiments · fill · pocket · double stroke

funk

groove

Narrow cut or routine

syncopationStressed unexpected beats
pocketFabric compartment in clothing
James BrownHardest working singer

slap bass · tight · locked in · subdivisions · shuffle · New Orleans · Motown · backbeat

dynamics

soft

Yielding to touch

quietLacking in sound
pianissimoExtremely quiet, in scores
accentRegional speech pattern

velocity · subtle · touch · contrast · loud · pp · breath · control · volume · sensitivity

texture

nuance

Slight shade of difference

feelPerceive by touch
depthDistance below surface
colorVisual hue property

richness · layer · complexity · swing · imperfection · expressiveness · musicality · warmth · character · liveness

bass

left hand

Body's sinister appendage

hammer-onFret note without picking
pluckSpirit or yank
fingerstylePlucking strings directly

slap · pop · percussive · fretboard · thump · attack · envelope · thumb

Opposites

musical emphasis/prominence

ghost notesaccents

Regional speech patterns

downbeats · backbeats · rimshots · power strokes

rhythmic function

ghost notesthe one

Ideal romantic partner

Family

ghost, notes, ghostly, ghosting, ghosted, ghostwriter, ghostwrite, ghostwriters, ghostliness

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Rated G