Metrical Accents
Definition
Metrical accents refer to the emphasized beats or pulses within a musical meter. They help create rhythmic patterns and give structure to the music.
Analogy
Think of metrical accents as the bolded words in a sentence. Just like bolded words stand out and give emphasis to certain parts of a sentence, metrical accents highlight specific beats in music.
Related terms
Syncopation: Syncopation is when an accent falls on an unexpected beat or offbeat, creating a sense of rhythmic tension.
Downbeat: The downbeat is the first beat of a measure, typically the strongest accent in a musical phrase.
Upbeat: The upbeat is the weak beat that comes before the downbeat, often leading into it and setting up the rhythm.
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