Downbeat (Noun)
Meaning
The first beat of a musical measure (as the conductor's arm moves downward).
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The conductor's strong hand motion emphasized the downbeat of each measure, setting the rhythm of the piece.
- At the beginning of every measure, the percussion section marked the downbeat with a loud crash of the cymbals.
- The strong, driving downbeats in the music helped the dancers maintain the upbeat tempo throughout the choreographed routine.
- The music teacher carefully explained to her students how to identify the downbeat in a musical composition by following the movement of the conductor.
- In the intense musical performance, the entire orchestra came together on each downbeat, creating a unified and powerful sound.