Rhythmic Transition Examples Transitioning from one time signature, tempo, or musical style to another is a very common technique in modern jazz. These shifts are often referred to as metric modulations, where a specific note value from the current tempo becomes the quarter note pulse in a new tempo. Tony Williams, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Vinnie Colaiuta, and Ari Hoenig are masters of this concept. In order for a transition to work out smoothly, it’s important for you to be as articulate and clear as possible with your rhythms. As you approach the shift, you need to provide a foundation that makes the band comfortable, without disrupting the flow of the time. Our first example illustrates a transition from a medium swing feel in 4/4 to a double-time swing superimposed over the existing time. This is a signature beat of the legendary Philly Joe Jones, and you can hear the groove […]

May 2014 Issue