Do we think about Rhythm enough?

[itu]

I have been thinking about the difference between baroque and modern rhythm music. I think (this may be a very narrow viewpoint) that the old music was more about melodic patterns, whereas we should aim to the rhythmic content and decorate it with suitable notes and sounds (I find the latter also of importance). 

 

This does not exclude melody, but still the main point is to carry the base with the drs/perc and leave the melody to the solo instruments like brass and keys. Therefore simplifying the melody may drive the song better than very ornamental playing.

 

Overplaying, who? Me? 

 

But where are the places where I should do like in the old proverb: when in doubt, leave it out? What's the note that is not important for rhythm or melody? How to simplify my line of eights? Should I listen to the singer, or other players, or all of them? Help! 

[Stub Mandrel]

46 minutes ago, itu said:

This does not exclude melody, but still the main point is to carry the base with the drs/perc and leave the melody to the solo instruments like brass and keys. Therefore simplifying the melody may drive the song better than very ornamental playing.

 

 

Not always. I'm thinking of Lemmy-era Hawkwind where he often carried the melody.

[Dad3353]

As a drummer, the notion of Rhythm is fundamental; melody and chords are there, but it's not the principal role of the percussion section, usually. Simple notions, such as changing to half-time, or the opposite, doubling the beat, can be very effective, or exchanging snare and bass drum, the 'one' on the snare, bass drum on the back-beat. Much more influence on style can be had by using 'claves' (rhythms...) from other idioms than pop rock. 'White Rabbit', for instance, starts off with a 'tango' feel, Police borrowed extensively from reggae and ska sources. Old-school jive beats are good for getting folk up and dancing, as are alternative rhythms such as 6/8 or 2/4. In fact, a great deal of music aimed at Dance has brought about a very wide range, from afro-beats to calypso, samba to polka, jazzy waltz to bossa nova and so many more. This makes it, for me, all the more sad when I come across straight disco beat lead-foot bass drum EDM. There are exceptions, but there is so much more than that. Cross-culture is a boon, so taking elements from elsewhere and adapting them to the occasion brings oodles of interest to an alert rhythm section (including, naturally, the bass...), and can bring a sparkle to an evening and a spring to the dancers' steps. Well worth exploring, I say. Just my tuppence-worth. 

[Homatron]

On 07/12/2025 at 12:17, lowdown said:

Out of interest, have you signed up to the course(s), or just using the YouTube channel?

I often pop into the YouTube channel for Jazz Piano tips. Like you say, some great resources.

I signed up last year (received as a Christmas present) and feel it has helped my knowledge and general approach to music. I mentioned it earlier in the thread since it was the rhythm content which drew me in. 

 

There's not tonnes of bass guitar specific lessons, but I found I could transfer the principles to bass guitar. I have also recently started on the double bass, and it is really helpful for that!  There's a lot of piano content in there for all sorts of levels.

 

For what it's worth I've just signed up for another year at the base level membership.