Beat
-
physics: beat
is the perception of the sum of two close frequencies
as one frequency that oscillates between zero intensity and full intensity, caused
by the alternating constructive and destructive interference.
Beating is heard as a pulsation in loudness of two close frequencies, and , at
the rate of . Thus at the unison and as the difference between and increases,
the speed decreases till beyond a certain proximity beating stops and a roughness
is heard instead, after which the two pitches are perceived as separate. The composer
Alvin Lucier has
written many pieces which feature interference beats as their main focus.
-
music: beat
(music) is any of the periodic transient signals in music
that mark the rhythm.
The
beat can also mean solely the bass and snare drums of the rhythm.
DJs often
beatmatch
the songs that they play.
