breakdown

[blowupman]

from metal to rock i wanna know what exactly is a breakdown...
i know it has something to do with halving the tempo/beat on the drums but other than that i'm confused
is that all that a breakdown is? halving the drum tempo?
thanks,
arta

[JeffS65]

from metal to rock i wanna know what exactly is a breakdown...
i know it has something to do with halving the tempo/beat on the drums but other than that i'm confused
is that all that a breakdown is? halving the drum tempo?
thanks,
arta

I see it less about tempo and more about it being a simple song writing component. I think it generally could be defined as a section of a song that is decidedly either/or/all different that the parts before or after. The leading in with a louder or more tempo/sound elevated then to a more quiet section that would be maybe less instrumented, lower volume or could be slower. I do think you could maintain a breakdown at the same tempo of the song. A for instance is when the bass drum beat tempo continues at pace but instrument drop away to few or none or with a lower singing volume. Things like that. I see it as a broad generally used mechanism but not reallt with specified rules.

[CSchlegel]

... i wanna know what exactly is a breakdown ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Break_(music)

Typically this refers to "breaking down" the elements or components of a song to a minimum. That's why when you hear, "Break it down!", you hear many (or all) of the instruments stop playing while the drums keep a constant rhythm going.

i know it has something to do with halving the tempo/beat on the drums
That is a separate concept. That is half-time. Or, if you go twice as fast, then it is called cut-time.

[Ed Jalowiecki]

I think breakdown originally came from referring to the drum break of a song. It may help to "break" up the monotony of an arrangement, so that when the same chorus/riff/whatever kicks back in, it sounds a bit fresher (pop songs often employ key changes at this point too). It could also be a transition to a new section of a song, so it all depends on the particular tune you're talking about. Overall though, I think it's a device used to create interest for the listener (and possibly give the other musicians a rest!)