Offbeat (Noun)
Meaning
An unaccented beat (especially the last beat of a measure).
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The syncopated rhythm emphasized the offbeat to create a sense of unpredictability in the music.
- The jazz drummer's expertise lay in his ability to play complex patterns on the offbeat.
- In many rock songs, the offbeat is accentuated by the snare drum or handclaps.
- Playing on the offbeat added a unique flavor to the young pianist's interpretation of the classical piece.
- Accented offbeats were a distinctive feature of the composer's idiosyncratic style.