There are 3 primary ways to manipulate time and create different feeling sensations. We will start with odd groupings in 4/4, as this tends to be the dominant way of embellishing time. Odd meters will be next with a focus on how these are typically broken up--that gives us insight into what configurations tend to be most musical. Lastly will be exploring the less common subdivisions like quintuplets and septuplets, and even how to do things like imply a septuplet with an eleven with certain groupings. Although this can get heady, musical examples (loops or tunes) tend to bring things home.

The real cutting edge can be found in time dilation. Time dilation happens on a small scale, giving players their unique feel. Even genres are built around these percentages of swung, whether it be hip-hop, R&B, or jazz. African drummers time dilate a three over two polyrhythm smoothing it to the point where it almost sounds like 16th notes, yet it is not. I will explore some of these ideas that show how these concepts can be used to make and elevate music. Progress does not usually come without work so let’s pave the road to a future where we are surrounded by all of these colorful rhythms!