Stevie WonderвЂ™s Superstition has a tight yet swinging pattern on the hi-hat that gives the backbeat its funky feel. In the solo the ride comes in playing on the beat this helps fills out the texture when there is an absence of vocal. The sense of attack is very firm but it also has a sense of swing that goes with the blues feel. The following examples highlight particular ways the backbeat can be altered to work with different settings:Дimples by John Lee Hooker has a very bare backbeat with no hi-hat, leaving the bass and snare very clear and strong. Stevie WonderвЂ™s IsnвЂ™t She Lovely).ДЄll these variables are intuitively used to affect the sense of groove in the piece and like many things in music there are no strict rules вЂ“ you just know if itвЂ™s right or not for you. We Will Rock You by Queen), whereas a lighter attack works with ballads or can even begin to create a more jazzy sound (e.g. For example a heavy attack is often used in a rock or dance music setting (e.g. Other more subtle factors, such as the intensity of attack on the snare or bass drum, can also have a big impact. The most noticeable sense of scope is created by how the hi-hat or ride cymbal is used, as we will explore in each example below. Within this form many variations can take place that lend themselves to various styles. When you listen to the examples, try counting or clapping along on the beat and youвЂ™ll notice these accents. The main element is the bass drum played on beats 1 + 3, with the snare drum played on 2 + 4. So much so, you can trace it through the history of popular music from blues to dance music. Its used in almost every style as its so easy to reinvent and alter. He backbeat is one of the most common beats in all of western music. Songwriting and guitar tutor Jack Jennings takes us through the definition, application and effect of Western musicвЂ™s widely used вЂbackbeatвЂ™

Backbeat music