underbeat
Unstressed musical moment
An underbeat is a weak or unstressed beat in music, particularly the beats that fall between the stronger downbeats.
In 4/4 time, beats two and four are underbeats relative to beats one and three.
The term also describes rhythmic emphasis placed on these weaker beats: The reggae groove relies on the guitar's underbeat.
Deliberately minimized in expression
- subtleNot immediately obvious
- restrainedHeld under control
- mutedMade quieter or softer
- low-keyRestrained and understated
hushed · quiet · soft · gentle · faint · toned-down · diminished · whispered
Arterial blood throb
- tempoRate of musical performance
- cadenceRhythmic pulse or pattern
- meterDevice that measures usage
- measureUnit of quantity
count · timing · pattern · cycle · metronome · subdivision · bar · phrase
Accent on weak beats
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- cross-rhythmSimultaneous contrasting beat patterns
- polyrhythmOverlapping musical beat patterns
- counterpointSimultaneous independent melodies
displacement · stagger · accent · swing · funk · reggae · jazz · groove
understated
Deliberately minimized in expression
- subtleNot immediately obvious
- restrainedHeld under control
- mutedMade quieter or softer
low-key · hushed · quiet · soft · gentle · faint · toned-down · diminished · whispered · delicate
pulse
Arterial blood throb
measure · count · timing · pattern · cycle · metronome · subdivision · bar · phrase · time-signature
backbeat
Accent on weak beats
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- cross-rhythmSimultaneous contrasting beat patterns
- polyrhythmOverlapping musical beat patterns
counterpoint · displacement · stagger · accent · swing · funk · reggae · jazz · groove · hiccup
techno
Electronic dance genre
- houseResidential building
- dubstepBass-heavy electronic dance music
- tranceSemiconscious, unresponsive condition
electro · bass · deep · ambient · dancefloor · DJ · mixing · synthesizer · clubbing · four-on-the-floor