Music A-Level
Downbeat
What Downbeat means in Music A-Level, as defined for AQA.
Definition of Downbeat
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Reference: AQA
The beats one and three of the bar, typically played by the bass drum and contrasting with the backbeat.
Topics that use Downbeat
- Area of study 2: Pop music - Musical elements (AQA A-Level)
Related terms
- 13th chord
- A cappella
- added sixth chord
- Articulation
- Articulation and playing techniques
- Backbeat
- Belting
- Blue note
Using Downbeat in the exam
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