Upstroke: meaning, definitions and examples
🎶
upstroke
[ ˈʌpstroʊk ]
musical technique
An upstroke refers to a specific strumming or picking motion that moves upwards, often used in music, particularly on stringed instruments. This technique is essential for creating rhythm and texture in a piece of music. Upstrokes can vary in intensity and speed, contributing to the overall dynamics of a performance. Musicians often combine upstrokes with downstrokes to achieve a balanced sound.
Synonyms
ascending stroke, upward stroke.
Examples of usage
- The guitarist performed a smooth upstroke to complement the melody.
- During the song, she switched between upstrokes and downstrokes for variety.
- His upstroke technique added a bright texture to the acoustic piece.
Translations
Translations of the word "upstroke" in other languages:
🇵🇹 subida
🇮🇳 उपरोक्त उठाना
🇩🇪 Aufwärtsbewegung
🇮🇩 gerakan naik
🇺🇦 вгору
🇵🇱 ruch w górę
🇯🇵 アップストローク
🇫🇷 montée
🇪🇸 ascenso
🇹🇷 yukarı hareket
🇰🇷 상승 스트로크
🇸🇦 ارتفاع
🇨🇿 vzestup
🇸🇰 vzostup
🇨🇳 上升动作
🇸🇮 naraščajoče gibanje
🇮🇸 upphækkun
🇰🇿 жоғары көтеру
🇬🇪 მაღლა აწევა
🇦🇿 yuxarı hərəkət
🇲🇽 movimiento ascendente
Etymology
The term 'upstroke' is derived from the prefix 'up-', indicating movement towards a higher position or direction, and the word 'stroke', which refers to a single movement or action in this context. The combination of these elements points to the action of moving something upward in a fluid motion. The use of the term in musical terminology likely emerged with the rise of stringed instruments, where players employed various methods of strumming to enhance sound production. As music evolved, so did techniques like the upstroke, becoming an integral part of guitar playing styles in genres such as folk, rock, and classical. The precise origins in string instrument techniques suggest a practical experimentation with sound, leading to the standardized terminology we use today.