Anacrusis
Definition
Anacrusis refers to an upbeat or pick-up note(s) that comes before the first downbeat of a musical phrase. It helps create forward momentum and anticipation for the main melody.
Analogy
Imagine getting ready to jump into a pool - you take a small step back before leaping forward. Similarly, anacrusis acts as a little push before the main musical phrase begins.
Related terms
Cadence: A melodic or harmonic progression that creates a sense of resolution at the end of a musical phrase.
Phrase: A self-contained musical idea within a larger composition, often ending with some form of cadence.
Rhythm: The pattern of durations and accents in music that creates its groove and feel.
"Anacrusis" appears in:
Study guides (2)
Additional resources (1)
Are you a college student?
Study guides for the entire semester
200k practice questions
Glossary of 50k key terms - memorize important vocab
Resources
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.