English edit

Etymology edit

From after- +‎ beat.

Noun edit

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 edit

Related terms edit