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Downward beat

Meter
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A rhythmic pattern that moves from strong stresses to weaker ones in sequence

Detailed Definition
A metrical technique where rhythmic beats decrease in strength as the line or stanza progresses. Downward beats can shape pacing, suggest resolution, or mirror thematic descent.
Example
Example in poetry:
Opening with heavy stresses then easing with lighter beats; Strong rhythmic start dropping into gentler flow; Intense drumming rhythm slowing in the poem; Poetic foot pattern decreasing in force
Additional Notes
Rhythm moving from stronger to weaker beats; can influence pacing and mood; related to descending rhythm forms.
Also Known As
Declining rhythm Fading cadence Dropping stresses Falling beat Falling meter
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