What, exactly, is a "beat?"

[Thoth93]

As a new member of this forum, it is my job to ask about a billion annoying questions. I am doing my job well.

But seriously:

When people say they produce "beats," what exactly does that mean?

At first, I thought it meant they made loops, drum loops mostly. But now, I've decided that it means they produce something akin to a musical soundbed that a hip hop, R&B or other performer can then use to rap/sing/whatever.

It seems, though, that some people use it as a general synomym for creating music.

Seriously here: Can someone enlighten me? I'm just trying to understand the local terminology.

Brian

[topaz]

yeh, I hear ya man.

what is the difference between "beats and "beatz" while we are here ?

As a new member of this forum, it is my job to ask about a billion annoying questions. I am doing my job well.

But seriously:

When people say they produce "beats," what exactly does that mean?

At first, I thought it meant they made loops, drum loops mostly. But now, I've decided that it means they produce something akin to a musical soundbed that a hip hop, R&B or other performer can then use to rap/sing/whatever.

It seems, though, that some people use it as a general synomym for creating music.

Seriously here: Can someone enlighten me? I'm just trying to understand the local terminology.

Brian

[clueless]

what is the difference between "beats and "beatz" while we are here ?

is it like the difference between "the" and "teh"?

[reprznt]

I live in South Bronx and am so "hood".... Kidding. Um, I feel that "beats" is a Hip-Hop slang in certain areas. For example, I was talking to this guy from Rocafella last year. He said.. "Get me a fire beat and I will put you on". What that means is, "If you are able to provide me with an instrumental that is of sound quality, I will then present your fine workings to my boss Jay-Z". So a "beat", is synonymous with an instrumental track. if you want to learn more about how to make beats... www.warbeats.com

[topaz]

isnt teh short for terry tho ?

is it like the difference between "the" and "teh"?

[topaz]

see now I woulda thought he wanted to put me on the fire.

For example, I was talking to this guy from Rocafella last year. He said.. "Get me a fire beat and I will put you on".

[clueless]

isnt teh short for terry tho ?

Only when accompanied by a Gah.

[topaz]

Only when accompanied by a Gah.

[Atonal]

[quote="topaz"]

what is the difference between "beats and "beatz" while we are here ?



'Seven', I think. ( in slow tempos only )

-- atonal

[james0tucson]

When people say they produce "beats," what exactly does that mean?

I don't know either, but I'm sure it's so far away from my usual style, a freestyle romantic piano and flute type of thing...

I am so completely without a frame of reference for any of the urban contemporary genres, I don't have any idea what people are talking about most of the time. Basically, I don't even know which styles are supposed to be dance music and which are supposed to be for passive listening.

I assume that anything called "Beat[zs]" is going to be up-tempo dance music though.

[Meffy]

Gevalt! So simple the answer is. It's what you make borscht out of. Happy now?

[Cabinfever]

Street slang is exactly the same as academic or trade jargon: it is terminology designed to obscure simple ideas and so exclude "non-members".

[Stupid American Pig]

Gevalt! So simple the answer is. It's what you make borscht out of. Happy now?

Whenever Im hankering for some Borscht, I always choose Katz's Deli, because I gotta tell ya, Katz's never closes, and their Beat Borscht is 2nd to none.

However, I more prefer their vegitarian ruben...

[Meffy]

A hankering for borscht I've never had. But a non-kosher carnivore* Reuben... that I could go for.

* -- not a carnivorous sandwich, not made with real carnivore, made FOR a carnivore (ME) =^_^=

[Stupid American Pig]

they have a great beef bacon lettuce and tomato there- Im no veggy, but I like that veggie reuben...