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by Jack Scotty on April 27th, 2005
In unformal terms the phrase "down beat" refers to the very first beat of the first measure of a song or a musical passage. In an orchestra if a particular instrument or section has an extended period of rest (where they arent playing) the first beat of the first measure of the next phrase of music where they begin playing again is referred to as the down beat for that passage.
If you ever observe an orchestra or a jazz ensamble perform, the director will always keep the band in sync by swinging his hand or baton in the downward position indicating that this is where the first beat of the next measure begins.
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