For those who aren't in the know of reading music, here's a little lesson. So music, when written, is divided into measures. These measures are typically written in time signatures, that is, how many beats are in a measure. You have 4/4, which most music uses, 3/4 which is typically a waltz beat, 2/4 is a march, 6/8 is crazy hippie dancing (J/K!). Anyway, you get the idea. 4/4 means you count the music 1, 2, 3, 4.
But, when you are listening to music, really enjoying it, when do you clap/tap your toes/wiggle your jiggle? On the downbeat or the upbeat? On the 1 and the 3 or the 2 and the 4?
Go ahead. Try it. Find yourself a piece of music that you enjoy and see what your natural tendency is for your rhythm. I have a theory that people can be divided into two types, the upbeats and the downbeats.
I've tested the theory in our home: I'm an upbeat and Kev is a downbeat. (That explains so much!) Seriously, tested, re-tested, and tested again. So, let me know your results! I'll create a graph or something if you actually let me know your results!
xoxo
I also divide people into those 2 camps. What I have noticed over the years is the more soulfull or jazzy the music, the more the emphasis is put on 2 and 4(also called the backbeat). Also, the whiter the music(bluegrass) is on 1&3 where as its close darker-skinned cousin, dixieland/ragtime,is on 2 and four.
ReplyDeleteLastly, you can really tell the difference when attending a "white Church" or "Black church", though I have known members of both that cross the lines.
I am a 2&4, but I credit that to growing up in NOLA.
I decided to test your theory in our house, too. Made some amazing discoveries! Annabelle and I are both creative, artsy left-handers that rock out on the downbeat. Luke and Chris are meticulous, numbers types, both right-handed and bounce along on the upbeat. Bonnie just dances around like a crazy person, but she's 2....I don't expect much more than that lol.
ReplyDeleteI'm an upbeat clapper, Kels!
ReplyDeleteI'm an upbeat clapper, Kels!
ReplyDelete