Do we think about Rhythm enough?

[Stub Mandrel]

In the past I've found it useful to play along to drum rudiments. I also trg to vary my rhythm when playing certain songs. 

 

Perhaps most of us don't think about naming rhythms or consciously learning them, perhaps shuffles and bo diddley... or just play along to different drum machine rhythms without actually breakingthem down. I was listening to 'Add to Playlist' earlier and they mentioned Samba rhythm. It made me think 'how is a samba constructed?'

 

I found this short video interesting:

 

 

Spoiler: it does not mention samba...

[Homatron]

Thanks for that video. Really clear explanations. I hadn't realised some of those rhythms had specific names but should make them easier to remember.

 

I've been paying a lot more attention to rhythm lately, and found some great resources and exercises on Open Studio Jazz.

Some examples...

 

 

This one isn't delivered on bass but I got a lot out of it.

 

 

 

[Supernaut]

[Beedster]

I always think rhythm first, note second 👍

[lowdown]

For me, I think of rhythm and good note choice as one.

As a Bass player, laying down the foundation of the chords and changes is as equally as important as rhythm. They go hand in hand as a Bassist.

But then again, we are all different and approach it in different ways.

 

[Owen]

The older I get, the more I see bass as a percussion instrument that has pitch. I went to a gig last night and all I could think was "Bassist! Calm down and lay it down!!! No one wants to hear your pentatonic noodlings". "And while you are at it, tune the instrument".