The study and development of repeated rhythmic phrases, sometimes called clave, rhythmic cells, rhythmic frameworks etc, is an integral part of my work as a composer and improviser. The rhythms used in Descarga are extensions of familiar rhythms such as son and rumba clave, partido alto, and their related ornaments, sometimes called bell patterns. Descarga uses seven distinct rhythmic cells (see links below) and a steady pulse is maintained throughout the piece. The essential elements of each cell are 1. the steady pulse 2. a main clave pattern and 3. one or more additional patterns that are syncopated in relation to the clave.
The piece is about exploration of rhythms in an aleatoric space, and how this exploration can reveal new musical ideas and interactive possibilities. While none of the rhythms used in Descarga are standard, they are based on familiar patterns and more or less typical approaches to rhythm, especially as it is explored in african diasporic music. The combination of familiar elements and novel rhythmic, timbral, and technological materials reaches towards new possibilities for musical expression and improvisation.
Using Reason I composed a set of 56 short (10-90 sec) percussion mini-pieces. Each piece is based on one of the patterns in the rhythm grids (left), and further developed through the addition of counter rhythms, timbral effects, computer audio manipulation, etc. 19 of the mini-pieces (or “sections”) are based on one of the seven rhythmic patterns. The remaining 37 are “transitions,” mini-pieces that more or less smoothly shift from one pattern to another so that the rhythms of the composition are always changing, sometimes subtly and sometimes abruptly. So the computer aspect of the piece goes section—transition—section—transition etc etc.
For example, for this mini-piece (based on the “jr” rhythm):
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to be followed by this mini-piece (based on the “5″ rhythm):
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requires a transition from jr to 5:
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the above three mini-compositions as a unit:
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The computer screen, which I rarely use during performance, shows how many cycles of a particular pattern remain, and what pattern will occur next. This is useful in “gaming” the program, which chooses randomly which pattern will sound next.
