Rhythm is horrendously under-explored in most music. There are many lands undiscovered by the majority of creative musicians.
This is not a music theory blog so I won’t go into technical detail – I will just ask you to do one thing: Always take a moment during the creative process to seek a way to make your rhythm more interesting…do not be governed by what you think is normal, or ok, or acceptable – let your imagination run free.
…And maybe do a little bit of research into it too, there’s lots of unexpected ways to think about rhythm. If you don’t know what these words mean…google is your friend:
- Isorhythm (this involves pitch too, and is a favourite technique of mine)
- Additive and Divisive Rhythm (sounds scary, but is quite simple)
- Iambic and Dochmiac rhythm (you might know these words from poetry lessons at school – they apply to music too!)
You can always think in “groups” of rhythm too…I’ll leave you to ponder what that might mean… There are many ways of thinking about rhythm…don’t shut yourself off to the possibilities! Make things up…be an inventor!
About Dave.
David Learnt composition (harmony, counterpoint and orchestration) to degree level through studying Schoenbergs Fundamentals of Musical Composition. He is a founder member of avant pop duo Cnut, and orchestral doombience outfit Regolith.
Need More? Make Better Music is updated every Tuesday.
Image: Francesco Marino / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
David Learnt composition (harmony, counterpoint and orchestration) to degree level through studying Schoenbergs Fundamentals of Musical Composition, the classic text on twentieth century harmony by Vincent Persichetti, Henry Mancini’s Sounds and Scores, Rimsky-Korsakov’s excellent books on orchestration as well as studying any scores that intrigued me. He is a founder member of two bands, avant pop duo Cnut, and orchestral doombience outfit Regolith, and have performed across Europe with them.
