The Downbeat
Locating the downbeats, pulse, and especially beat one is really important in music.
Tracking the downbeats on a strumming instrument like ukulele is really important as it relates to the stroke direction and weak and strong part of downbeats and upbeats. These strong and weak parts of the beat need to be reinforced and telegraphed in order for listeners and fellow musicians to play and follow along.
Finding and Reinforcing the Beat and Pulse
First, the Pulse of a song is what we perceive to be the downbeats. The Beat is the actual downbeats. Think of Bluegrass and old time Country music where the rhythm instruments are doing a boom, chick, boom, chick type of strum. This is called cut time, and the pulse is typically felt as two beats per measure. When in fact the downbeats are actually four beats per measure with the pulse being felt as two — your tracking beats one and three.
Here are a few steps and exercises for creating a solid foundation for strumming, finding the beat (the downbeats) and the pulse.
- Counting evenly
1 and 2 and 3 and 4
and — do this over and over. Clap your hands or tap your foot on the numbers1 2 3 4. - Grab your ukulele and, with your index finger for a bright sound or your thumb for a more mellow sound, strum all the strings or any chord you know on the 1 2 3 4 count.
With any of the above drills or exercises, someone listening should be able to find the downbeats and follow or play along. Even if you're not playing on every beat. The beat — the downbeats are readily identified.
Keeping Your Place in Songs
One hard thing to do when tying to incorporate new chords you've learned along with new strums, etc … — is to not get lost in a song and keeping your place.
Here is a great exercise I do with my students It is to only play the chords on beat one, then only on beat two, then only on beat three and finally only on beat four. This exercise really forces you to learn how to keep your place and actually count where you are. Start with a slow tempo and increase the tempo as you get more proficient.
Variations include play only on two of the four beats. Try using only one of the Level II Modular Phonetic syllables in each measure. ( See this lesson's related lessons below )
End of Lesson - Thanks, Hope You Enjoyed It!
Related Lessons, Videos, Lesson Series, Songs, Books & Reference Charts, Resources & Assets, Workshops are below.
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Reading Music on `Ukulele Series - Primer
Updated: 19 Jun 2014
There are a few things in music that students and players avoid. These are things like learning to read and knowing the notes of their own instrument. It is hard on guitar - but not so hard on ukulele. With the right guidance and plan of attack. IT IS EASY.
Related Lesson Series
Related Lessons Series for The Downbeat
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Modular Phonetic Rhythm by Chuck Anderson
Updated: 01 Jan 2003
Modular Phonetic Rhythm represents a significant advance in the teaching and application of rhythm. Eliminating many inefficient aspects of rhythm education, Modular Phonetic Rhythm streamlines the traditional educational approach, resulting in a reflexive reaction to rhythm.
Related Songs
Related Songs for The Downbeat
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Related Books & Charts
Related Books for The Downbeat
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Modular Phonetic Rhythm, The Foundation and Workbook 1
Updated: 08 Dec 2021
Modular Phonetic Rhythm represents a significant advance in the teaching and application of rhythm. Eliminating many inefficient aspects of rhythm education, Modular Phonetic Rhythm streamlines the traditional educational approach, resulting in a reflexive reaction to rhythm.
A Selection of Books & Reference Charts that are recommended for creating a solid foundation with your chosen instrument and music in general.
Books





Checkout the Books for ALL available books.
Reference Charts



Key Signatures — Circle of Fourths and Fifths – ANSI A & A4 sizes
A handy reference chart of all 15 major and relative minor key signatures. US Letter 8.5 x 11 sized (ANSI-A) , A4
Checkout the Books for additional Handy, Dandy Reference Charts.