Finding the Beat: Entrainment, Rhythmic Play, and Social Meaning in Rock Music

Finding the Beat explores the human inclination to synchronize our movements with a perceived beat, using diverse examples from rock music to demonstrate how musicians can create deep and meaningful experiences for listeners by playing with or against expectations set up by entrainment.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 196 pages
Publication date: 18 April 2024
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Finding the Beat delves into the captivating realm of human ability, inclination, and sheer delight in uncovering the rhythm within live and recorded musical experiences. It explores the profound human capacity to perceive and synchronize with beats, whether witnessed at concerts, clubs, or sporting events. From tapping our feet to clapping our hands or dancing along, we all engage in this universal phenomenon, transcending boundaries of location and culture. It is a testament to our innate desire to harmonize our physical movements with the perceived beat.

In his insightful exploration, Nathan Hesselink showcases how musicians can captivate listeners in profound and socially meaningful ways by either aligning with or defying expectations set by entrainment. Drawing from a diverse range of examples from the North American and British rock repertoires, he illustrates the sheer creative, aesthetic, and participatory pleasure and wonder that arises from our collective ability to find the beat.

Through the lenses of musicology, music theory, popular music studies, ethnomusicology, and cognitive neuroscience, Hesselink unravels the intricate tapestry of how our brains process and respond to musical rhythms. He sheds light on the neural mechanisms that enable us to detect and synchronize with beats, revealing the profound connections between music, movement, and human expression.

Finding the Beat serves as a testament to the profound impact of music on our lives, fostering a deeper understanding of our innate musicality and the ways in which it shapes our experiences and interactions. It encourages us to embrace the rhythm that courses through our bodies and to celebrate the shared joy of finding the beat in the world around us.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501393013