It has recently become apparent that oscillatory beta activity actually occurs in discrete transient bursts, and that the summation of short-lasting, high-powered bursts of activity only appear to be sustained oscillations when averaged over multiple trials. This renders previous theories of beta activity’s functional relevance, which involve slow changes of oscillatory power, untenable. However, this insight provides the exciting opportunity to examine beta activity on a trial-by-trial basis rather than in aggregate, and directly relate it to motor behavior.