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Rhythm & TimeA–Z index
Rhythm & Time

Backbeat

The short version

The snare hits on beats 2 and 4 — the head-nod.

A little more

Kick on 1 and 3, snare on 2 and 4. That single arrangement powers most rock, pop, soul and hip-hop.

Hear it
Why you'd careMove the backbeat and the genre changes. Take it away and the beat loses its spine.
Where you'll see this in BDT
Fix the Beat →
Related sounds
Snare Drum →
Learn next
DownbeatBeat one — where a bar starts and your foot naturally lands.BeatThe steady thing you'd count or clap along to: 1, 2, 3, 4.GrooveThe overall feel of a rhythm — the thing that makes you move.

88 words and counting in The Music Guide. Back to the guide