Rhythm, Time and Drumming

I remember my best drum instructor used to say to me “ it’s all about time”, meaning - that’s what the other band member’s want to hear. Now time is an illusive word - so what is it? A old clock ticking away with it’s hands moving, a pendulum swinging back and forth? For the musician it could be a metronome clicking away (but we aren’t metronomes or machines). As drummer’s we have to create the illusion of Time.

I guess you have heard it said : “ All musician’s are magician’s - but not all magician’s are musician’s”. So the drummer in the band is the Timekeeper and rhythm is closely related to time. For as human beings, the closest evidence we have of time is the rising and setting of the sun, the motions of the celestial spheres, the change of the seasons (which is readily perceived as rhythmical or cyclical).

But that is our job - to lay it down - the Time, the Meter (it’s numerical cycles). We create the foundation for the illusion of time. We are the rhythm maker’s of the band, the other members of the band depend on us as the focal point to bind everything together. Lock in with the bass player and everyone else steps in line to the underlying rhythm. Miss a beat - and everyone else get’s thrown off (beat = pulse).

Now we have to take a closer look at what a rhythm is ( a cyclical phrase). So what is a Rhythm? As you’ll notice the word rhythm + rhyme have a similar spelling. If we look at Eastern cultures and African, as well as indigenous, their tribal or cultural rhythms are passed down through an oral tradition. They don’t write anything down on anything (as developed in Western societies using manuscript paper). So when spoken or clapped out in a rhythmical cycle, a phrase with syllables are created. If the candidate can say it - he can play it. In these cultures rhythm isn’t broken down numerically into meters. Being a spoken phrase, it is much more fluid and readily understood (the student just has to imitate it). The illusion of time is much easily created, as the musicians “jam” with each other. There is a “psychic” connection that occurs with the players, there is an underlying agreement with the Pulse (nothing needed to discuss). We modern day musicians coming out of the Western tradition, are much more particular about this, which can get some players easily confused (rather then to let things flow naturally).

Now in the Far East they believe there is an actual Rhythm to the Universe. One of the most basic religious practices in these cultures are rhythmical chants and mantras. When a person repeats these chants/mantras out loud or in his mind, he will gradually attain this “Rhythm of the Universe'‘. It’s like turning the key and warming up your engine (it’s an established method for personal development). When I was studying Indian table drums (with a master musician from India), he stated that yoga and drumming are one and the same. Yoga transliterates into the English language to mean to “yoke” or to “bind” (the physical body with the intellectual/spiritual). Henceforth you are acting out or rather performing this mantra or rhythmical phrase. They have assigned syllables to every stroke that is performed on the tabla drums. Their most basic rhythmical cycle is Teen Tal which is a 16 beat cyclical phrase (which is comparable to our 4/4, 16 bar phrase). The rhythm is transmitted vocally through an archaic oral tradition combining various syllables.

Through years of development in musical traditions in Western civilization, notation on manuscript paper evolved. So as far as rhythm is concerned (in a classical sense) we come in from a different doorway. So if a person isn’t naturally gifted with a sense of rhythm, he can gradually comprehend it through a mechanical basis. Diligently studying music, the person will be tapping his foot to the melody eventually - magically. In drumming - through learning the rudiments and hand to hand patterns, the individual will eventually grasp what a rhythm is. Some of the best books to study this are the publications of George L. Stone (stonepercussionbooks.com). As the student picks up speed in the execution of these hand to hand patterns, the rhythms start to become self evident (like with a paradiddle and it’s variations and accents).

Studying Latin Rhythms, is also another important way to comprehending what a rhythm is. Standard rhythms like Mambo, Samba, Montuno, Nanigo, Cha-Cha, Conga, Bossa Nova, Tango, etc., completes the process of understanding the cyclical nature of rhythm. When the person finally comprehends the meaning of how to play rhythmically, he should have the conceptualized rhythm in the back of his head (like a mantra). Having the ability to improvise around it with fills and breaks yet maintaining the flow of the rhythm. The person should be able to move his hands and feet freely (yet if he misses a stroke) create the illusion of time (a steady pulse). The individual is now a Master Drummer (irregardless of what country or cultural traditional).

Through studying drumming - a heightened state of conciousness is attained. This has recently been scientifically verified through clinical studies (check out drnorthrup.com/health-benefits-drumming/). In indigenous cultures, shamanic drumming is integral in healing of the body and soul. For us modern day drummers, it can be considered that - plus a gymnastic workout (you always feel good after a good session). Your sense of balance comes back - you’re fully alert and wide awake. Your intuitive mind is in full gear; your natural reflexes are in motion. This is the Magic of Drumming.

Blog Post Title Two

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Blog Post Title Three

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Blog Post Title Four

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.