What is the 'Backbeat'?

The backbeat is an incredibly important concept because it has determined almost all popular Western music, from jazz to metal, for about 100 years. And especially for drummers it is indispensable - but: What exactly IS the backbeat ...? That is what I want to explain for you in this video.
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#backbeat #music #andirohde

00:00 Introduction
01:33 The Backbeat explained

[AndiRohdeEnglishChannel]

This channel can only survive with your help!

[える-tl]

I am Japanese. In Japan, almost all musics are made to emphasize 1, 3 instead of backbeat. For that reason, I think that even when listening to songs from overseas, the feeling of listening to them is the exact opposite of that of foreigners. What kind of exercises do you think I should do to feel the backbeat?

[lisao]

Thank you for the explanation! No one has ever explained this to me. They just assume you know.

[TheKottonheads]

Very nice! As an x drummer I know the importance of the backbeat in any speed. Now I'm playing (learning) the guitar and see how they come together! Great lesson. Thank you!

[AuntLoopy]

I watched a video about the Eurythmics. It said that their big break-out hit was "Sweet Dreams Are Made of This." The odd thing about the story was thata they were using a new musical instrument machine, that provided rythm, but it was wonky, and did the backbeat on the first beat.

They were going to fix it, but Annie Lennox said, "No! Leave it in!"

And thus was created the signature sound that blew people's minds in that song.

And I saw that, and said, "What's a backbeat, and why is it so odd to have it on the 1?"

Thanks for teaching me! I understand more, now!

[jbmann]

I grew up listening to Hewey Lewis tell me that the backbeat rhythm "really, really drives 'em wild", but didn't really understand what that meant. Thank you for your very clear explanation. I learned a lot from watching your video.

[boomerguy]

Great explanation. I am so glad you explain this so well. As a drummer for over 60 years, I am very sensitive to those few people in the audience who clap their hands on the "1" and "3" instead of "2" and "4". This makes me cringe.

One of the most important lessons for my students, thank you for sharing these clear rules !!

[plno]

Actually, there are sections during the non-chorus sections where Learn to Fly dispenses with any sound on the 4th

[markielinhart]

Great explainer, this has eluded me for some time‼️✌️

[petehernandez]

This was a great explanation and the demonstration was excellent. Cheers! - p

[originalvonster]

It would be really cool if you could do a video about what a driving rhythm is. I have no idea what that means.

[Ababmmmm]

So backbeat can only happen if the time is 4/4 and no other meter? Since 3/4 will not have a 4th beat etc

[collinmc]

Thanks for making this. very informative.

[joepipkin]

Thank you very much for great explanation! I’d like to ask, how is it called when the accent is on the 1st and 3rd? And how is it called when the accent is on the all four beats? Thank you very much.

[sambafreak]

is there a term for when we play 16th notes but accent every third note which gives that sort of 3 against 2 feel? When played over quarter note down beats you get those 4 accents on 1, the "uh" of 1, the "and" of 2, the "e" of 3 and then typically just resolve it with 4 unaccented 16th notes. Hopefully I'm explaining that well...

[scroxydrums]

yo ive recently dug into the history of gospel and found out lots of interesting stuff there including that this genre probably born all of the modern music (spirituals - blues and gospel - jazz - rock, pop, metal, hip-hop etc.) And also there is clapping tradition on off beats in gospel so...

do you think that this backbeat thing is probably a natural descendant of gospel clapping tradition?

[andrews]

The explanation finally starts at 2:18

[aaronv]

Decent explanation, however, think it would be more effective if a piece without the back beat was played to show the contrast. Preferably the sa.e piece.

[terrat]

So basically the backbeat is the snare hit we've been hearing all our lives.