Does the Rock Beat Affect People in Ways We Do Not Realize?

I suppose that all mainstream music in America has4 time or 4/4 time. There are others, but for simplicity I
rhythm. How does the beat in music affect you? Doeswill focus on the basic 4/4 time. 4/4 time means that
it cause you to tap your foot, bob you head, or danceeach measure of music has 4 beats and each beat is
a little bit? Does it do more than the obvious? Why donotated with a musical quarter note. A whole song in 4
businesses use carefully selected music to help4 time is divided up into measures with each having
accomplish their purposes?four beats. The length of the notes correspond to the
The beat in music can be followed in a quiet way or itbeats per measure. A whole note lasts for 4 beats, a
can be brought to varied levels of volume and soundhalf note lasts for 2 beats (half a measure), a quarter
with percussion instruments, like cymbals, drums,note lasts for 1 beat (one forth of a measure), and so
tambourines, shakers, and so on. Even the guitar ison.
considered a rhythm instrument.Through the years I have collected materials and
Because of my lifelong interest and involvement withquotes from books, quotes, newspaper and magazine
music started out with rock-n-roll, this is a focus on thearticles, and actual studies on the rock beat. In this
rock beat. In discussing the rock beat we need toseries of articles I will cite some of them. There will be
have a basic understanding of what it actually is. Musictestimonials by rock musicians and what they have
is said to have originated with the human heart beatsaid about this beat, sources will musical truths about
and the pace of walking. The rock beat is also knownrhythm and beat, scientific research, and observations
as the back-beat and the syncopated beat. There aremade about some of the effects of rock music.
other names, as well.In my next article, we will begin to look at some more
Music can have some different rhythmic timings, like 3details about the rock beat and what it is.