afterbeat

English

Etymology

From after- +‎ beat.

Noun

afterbeat (plural afterbeats)

1. (music) A secondary, weaker half of a musical beat.
   • 1989, Leonard B. Meyer, Style and music: theory, history, and ideology:

     He does so by giving the first structural tone an afterbeat comparable to that which follows the second structural tone.

   • 2007, Michael Campbell, James Brody, ROCK AND ROLL: AN INTRODUCTION:

     The most distinctive rhythmic feature of ska is a strong afterbeat: a strong, crisp chunk on the latter part of each beat.

Antonyms

• forebeat

Related terms

• downbeat