Beats per measure...

[iommi]

I know i look like an idiot to ask this.But can someone tell me what exactly a beat means.Suppose I have an E chord and there is one beat per measure(quarter note) should i play the E chord 4 times within a certain period of time.Someone please explain in simple terms

[cyberfret]

In the simplest sense the beat is where you tap your foot as you are listening to a song. If there are 4 beats in a measure, and you will be strumming just quarter notes, you will strum 4 times in that measure. If you are strumming 8th notes, you will strum 8 times. Or any rhythm combination that will add up to 4 beats.

--Shawn