I am playing in a measure of 2 or a duple meter. Here we play with beats of 2, 3 and 4 divisions. I start with 3, which I am playing with a swing feel on the recording. At \u201chip,\u201d I take a way a division (e.g. 3 divisions becomes 2), at \u201chop,\u201d I add one (e.g. 3 divisions becomes 4). \u201cReturn\u201d signals a change back to 3. It could be notated in 6\/8 with a dotted quarter beat for \u201c3\u201d; 2\/4 with a quarter note beat for \u201c2\u201d, and 2\/2 with a half note beat (and eight note subdivision) for \u201c4\u201d. The eighth note is kept at a constant tempo–or at least that is my intention! This is known as a “quick reaction” game in Dalcroze parlance. In this case, the signal is verbal (they can also be visual, musical or tactile).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Follow along by stepping the beat and clapping the division. For more fun, try bouncing and catching a ball on the beat. Bounce from one hand and catch to the other, alternating hands each time. It becomes a study in the relationship between time, space and energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n