3/4 or 6/8?

When you play the pattern D - d g d g or G - g d g d, there are six notes, with an obvious emphasis on the one. But in traditional western music terms, these six would be divided further as follows:

_______ _______ _______
| | | | | | | | | | | | 3/4
D - d g d g D - d g d g

     Click for sound: RealAudio - Track2-14

or

_____ _____ _____ _____
| | | | | | | | | | | | 6/8
D - d g d g D - d g d g  

     Click for sound: RealAudio - Track2-15

The problem is, which way do you go? On that razor-edged mountain ridge, you have to fall off one way or another.

Why, I ask, can’t it be played in the middle? No emphasis either way, but the notes played steadily, equal in emphasis? If this happens, the effect can be dizzying, as the pull of gravity comes from one side and the other. The winds swirl hard up there, yet with a steadiness of nerve and hand, the balance can be walked in still neutrality. Let the other instruments or drums fall where they may. Divided is good.

Try:

_______ _______ _______
| | | | | | | | | | | |   3/4
D - d g d g T - d P - g  
    
with

_____ _____ _____ _____
| | | | | | | | | | | |   6/8
D - D P d g D - D P d g
    
while keeping

D - d g d g     Click for sound: RealAudio - Track2-16

in the middle...

   

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Go to Rhythms of the Week, Page One

Go to Rhythms of the Week, Lesson Two

Go to Rhythms of the Week, Lesson Three

Go to Rhythms of the Week, Lesson Four

Go to Rhythms of the Week, Lesson Five

Go to Rhythms of the Week, Lesson Six

Go to Rhythms of the Week, Lesson Eight

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