Originally Posted by: bcraig4J

I understand that certain rhythms do create forward motions

but what are those rhythms ?

[p]Galper's forward motion is mostly about how the second line rhythms in jazz provide the syncopation against the straight 4 count. This is essentially a clave rhythm, but he's referring more generally to the origin of the blues & jazz rhythms in the New Orleans brass band parades. The parade band (the main or "first line") provided a solid beat & the parade followers (the "second line" to the main line) danced along and added their own variety of rhythms to the band.

Essentially, the idea is that a straight 4 count is steady, but boring.

1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4, etc.

And to make the music interesting, or sound like it's going somewhere, or has forward motion, you add syncopations in between the beats & stress those syncopations.

1-2-AND-3-4, 1-AND-2-AND-3-4-AND, etc.

So that you wind up with notes on a combination & variety of notes on downbeats (counted numbered beats) & upbeats (the ANDs in between the beats).

Some rhythms have this sort of rhythmic syncopation built in. The classic example is the gallop rhythm: 1/8th note followed by 2 16th notes, repeat! And that implies a lot of forward motion obviously!

Galper's material is pretty heavy duty. But it's based on very basic ideas of rhythmic syncopation that is used to some degree in all music. This makes me curious exactly what you are doing with it! What are you working on to wind up watching Galper?