Deep Rhythms VIIIWood block music*

Abstract

Deep Rhythms are normally constructed by choosing a length (l), and the difference (d) between one basic note and the next. If one begins at 0, and one wishes to construct rhythms in measures containing 8 notes, with 3 notes in each measure, and the difference between basic notes is 3, then l = 8, n = 3, one follows the cycle (0, 3, 6, 1, 4, 7, 2, 5, 0 . . . ) and the rhythms are (0, 3, 6), (1, 3, 6), (1,4,6) and so forth, as in the beginning measures of the music. Only (0,3,6) is given in Franck Jedrzejewski’s complete list of deep rhythms on the facing page, because this list includes only basic deep rhythms beginning with zero. But since we are dealing with a circle of 8, we can rotate around the cycle and find seven other deep rhythms, all of which are interesting to my ears. An infinite number of rhythms may be constructed in this way, but as the circles get larger, the rhythms get longer, and tend to follow repeating sequences in a boring way, so I just added a few more sections that I particularly liked and then stopped. The lower staff is simply accompaniment and should be more felt than heard. I find it easiest and most satisfying to repeat each rhythm four times before going on to the next, and to keep a steady tempo of about 120 quarter notes per minute. Since each variation is an independent little piece, one may select and order them however one wishes. I recommend outdoor performances, where the music becomes camouflaged, always blending well with the ambient sounds.