auftakt - Meaning, Image, Examples & Etymology - Learn English Visually

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auftakt

|auf-takt|

/ˈaʊftækt/

lead-in beat; opening

Etymology

Etymology Information

'auftakt' originates from German, specifically the word 'Auftakt', where the prefix 'auf-' meant 'up/on' and 'Takt' meant 'beat' or 'measure'.

Historical Evolution

'auftakt' comes directly from German 'Auftakt' (Modern German); in German it is a compound of 'auf' + 'Takt'. The term was adopted into English musical usage with little change in form.

Meaning Changes

Initially, in German it meant 'up-beat' or 'lead-in beat' in a musical sense, and in English it has retained that musical meaning while also being used figuratively to mean an 'opening' or 'start'.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a short introductory note or sequence of notes that precedes the first downbeat of a musical phrase; an anacrusis or pickup.

The song begins with an auffakt of two eighth notes before the first full measure.

Synonyms

anacrusis pickup upbeat

Antonyms

downbeat finale ending

Noun 2

a ceremonial or rhetorical opening or start of an event, series, or process; an inaugural beginning.

The festival's auffakt was a short parade that set the tone for the week.

Synonyms