Well, if that isn’t the most wonky title for a blog post…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s less fancy than it sounds. This is an augmentation\/diminution activity for the \u201camphribrach\u201d rhythm, sometimes called \u201csyn-co-pa\u201d. In 4\/4, the rhythm could be written quarter-half-quarter. (The rhythm could be notated in any simple duple or quadruple meter, like 4\/4, 2\/2, 2\/4, 4.8, etc..) In this recording, \u201chip\u201d means the rhythm goes twice as fast (diminution), \u201chop\u201d means it will go twice as slow (augmentation). Return brings it back to the original. If you are unfamiliar with this compositional and improvisational device, this is all it means: making something faster (and thus smaller) or slower (and thus larger). When you move it, you really get to experience the changes in size. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The easiest way to ineract with the recording, might be to simply step the rhythm as played and called. Since many of us are practicing in confined spaces, you could step the base rhythm, play (without traveling) the diminution on a handheld percussion instrument, and step and play together the rhythm on the augmentation. I know I do not have nearly enough room to move the rhythm in it’s twice-as-fast form. But if you do, go for it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Enjoy the syncopation. Try to embody the entire length of the long rhythm value in the middle of the pattern while maintaining the organization of the meter. The agogic accent of the longer note is a chance to expand, contract, lift, reach, etc. It\u2019s a fun one to move!<\/p>\n\n\n\n