BREAKBEAT Meaning and
Definition
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Breakbeat is a distinct style and subgenre of electronic dance music (EDM) that emerged in the late 1970s and gained significant popularity in the 1980s and 1990s. It is characterized by its unique rhythmic patterns that prominently feature broken, syncopated drum beats. In breakbeat, the emphasis is on the drums, particularly the kick and snare, which are often sampled from various sources such as funk, soul, and jazz records, and then manipulated to create intricate and dynamic rhythms.
The defining feature of breakbeat is the "break," which refers to the isolated section of a song with drums or percussion that can be looped and manipulated for its distinctive rhythmic qualities. These breaks are often taken from funk or soul tracks and form the backbone of breakbeat compositions. DJs and producers in the breakbeat scene developed a technique called "cutting and scratching," where they would manipulate records and use turntables to isolate and repeat break sections, creating a continuous, energetic dance groove.
Breakbeat has evolved over the years, branching out into various subgenres such as jungle, drum and bass, and breakbeat hardcore. It has also influenced other genres like hip hop and trip hop. The genre continues to evolve and incorporate new sounds and production techniques while maintaining its core emphasis on energetic, syncopated drum patterns. With its infectious rhythm and unique approach to beat creation, breakbeat remains a vibrant and influential style in the world of electronic music.
Common Misspellings for BREAKBEAT
- vreakbeat
- nreakbeat
- hreakbeat
- greakbeat
- beeakbeat
- bdeakbeat
- bfeakbeat
- bteakbeat
- b5eakbeat
- b4eakbeat
- brwakbeat
- brsakbeat
- brdakbeat
- brrakbeat
- br4akbeat
- br3akbeat
- brezkbeat
- breskbeat
- brewkbeat
- breqkbeat
Etymology of BREAKBEAT
The term "breakbeat" originated in the early 1980s during the emergence of hip-hop music and the sampling techniques used by DJs. It refers to a drumbeat or percussion pattern that is typically sampled from a funk, soul, or rock record and then looped or "broken" to create a repetitive rhythmic foundation for a song. The term itself is a compound of two words: "break", referring to the moment in a song where the drums and percussion take center stage with a distinct rhythm, and "beat", representing the rhythmic pattern itself. Together, "breakbeat" signifies the technique of isolating and repeating specific drum breaks to create an entirely new musical composition. The concept of breakbeats later became foundational in various electronic music genres, such as jungle, drum and bass, and breakbeat itself.
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