Is there a word for drum beats that sound like a heartbeat?

Question

I've heard this in two songs over the years: deep, slow drum beats that sound like a heart beating. Is there a word for this unusual sound?

Not that I'm aware of I do know depending where you pop your snare at it can be a syncopated math metal beat — Stixx, Apr 13 '16 at 01:11

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Aug 29 '16 at 00:23

1

It's called a "thump." It can be made by timpani and bass drums. The term is also used to describe actual heartbeats as well as a technique for playing bass guitars.

There could be terms in other languages that relate the connotation better - certain cultures would name the instruments themselves after the sound they make; the Djun-djun, for example.

Short of making up a word (which I'm all for :), I believe that's the term we're stuck with in the English language...

answered Aug 29 '16 at 00:23

Tim Burnett - Bassist

2,608
2
13
46

I should add that there is probably some sort of muting technique that the drummers are using to obtain the exact sound you're hearing. – Tim Burnett - Bassist Aug 29 '16 at 22:01

Is there a word for drum beats that sound like a heartbeat?

1 Answers1