Downbeat or Upbeat Which Will It Be?
Why Do Some Songs Start on an Upbeat?
An upbeat or a Pickup Beat in music is the last beat before the barline followed by the downbeat. The technical name for the Pickup Beat is the Anacrusis Beat, (ain't I smart?)
So why is it called an “Upbeat or Pick-up beat?”
The term “upbeat” comes from the world of conducting. In marking the time, the conductor makes a series of movements with a hand or baton.
Again, the first beat of each bar is the downbeat. And the note just prior is a lift (the upbeat). So the conductor goes up on the Upbeat and down on the Downbeat.
The main reason for using pickup beats is when the poetry fits the music better by putting the downbeat on a syllable other than the first one of the lyrics. I have bolded the downbeat or the main first strong beat of the melody. The notes before this point are called the pickup notes.
"Oh say, can you see by the dawn’s early light," "Oh," is on beat 3, as our National Anthem is written in 3/4 meter.
"Oh Danny Boy, the pipes,". "Oh Danny," comes in on the second half of beat 3, of a 4/4 meter.
"Happy Birthday to you,". "Happy," is on beat 3, of the 3/4 meter. And then there is;
"You ain’t a-nothing but a hound dog, crying all the time," Which, interestingly, this song is written in Cut-Time, and "You," comes on the second half of beat one.
“Finlandia, aka “Be Still My Soul,” comes in on beat 2, in 4/4 meter.
“Let’s Just Praise the Lord,” comes in on beat 2 in 3/4 meter.
“The Winner Takes it All by ABBA begins on the third beat in 4/4 meter. 1, 2, “I don’t wan-na talk…”
There are many reasons why a song begins with a Pickup beat.
One is to avoid starting on a strong beat. Now that's profound.
Secondly, the pickup measure can be a short rhythm that leads into the song, often on the drums.
Thirdly, to continue the flow of the song. A pickup measure can also happen within a song, after a rest or pause, or after a soft or low part.
Fourth, and this is purely speculation on my part, it is a way for the composer to introduce a song using a softer approach. Downbeats tend to be more didactic, they demand the music/musicians, and listeners, march to the same beat; left, right, left, right.
Coming in on the pickup beat is a gentler approach; in my humble opinion. To me, it is more of an invitation rather than a demand to participate. It also focuses our attention on what is important, and that is the strong word or part of the words (if there are any) in the music.
In the song, You Ain't Nothin', but a Hound Dog, the important words are "Hound Dog." That is the key words, but alone, "Hound Dog means nothin', (pardon the pun), without the singer telling you that, "You ain't nothin'. And so it goes.
There are many subtilities to why a composer chooses to begin on the downbeat: Beethoven's Fifth Symphony...dah, dah, dah, dah-----. Very dramatic as compared to, let's say, "Oh Danny Boy."
Now here is the most interesting part. Some songs can be altered/changed/arranged or rearranged so that what was the downbeat now becomes the upbeat or pickup. I give you, Blessed Assurance the beloved hymn by Fanny Crosby and set to music by Pheobe Knapp. In the original setting, it begins on the downbeat; "Blessed." Which is a wonderful way to express the believer's thoughts when it comes to knowing Christ as our Savior. But what if the emphasis is shifted from "Blessed," to surance? Isn't that what is so blessed; our assurance in knowing that Jesus is mine? I think so and thus, I have written a fresh melody for this powerful truth. Follow the link to view and listen to my newest piece, This Is My Story, This Is My Song. Find the slide bar and tap the arrow to listen. Then pass it along to your choir director.