Future Possibilities

By combining ideas from different musical traditions, many great new rhythms are possible. It is recommended that those interested in creating their own rhythms study the world's great traditions to gain the understanding and knowledge for this undertaking.

The book Ancient Traditions--Future Possibilities, by Matthew Montfort, contains exercises that teach traditional rhythms and how to combine them. An example from the Future Possibilities chapter is included below, complete with a MIDI sound file.

For further examples of music that uses world rhythms in new contexts, check out the sound files from the recordings by Ancient Future in the world music catalog.

Using MIDI

GM Standard MIDI files of world fusion exercises from the book are presented here, arranged for General MIDI instruments. Use these to practice, or as rhythm tracks for an original composition.

For on-line performance, set up your web browser to access your favorite MIDI player for .mid files and hook up your MIDI tone module.

Computers with multimedia capabilities now come configured for MIDI playback via web browsers. However, with the built-in MIDI support in Netscape and Explorer, some files may not reproduce properly. For proper playback, this site recommends the Beatnik Plugin which supports both GM voices and user programmable sounds.

World Fusion Rhythm Exercises

Tihai Kotekan MIDI file combines Balinese and North Indian rhythmic concepts. This intermediate level example from Chapter 4, Exercise I, page 127, is in a 15 beat rhythmic cycle. Recite the drum syllables of the tihai (a rhythmic phrase that repeats three times and lands on the first beat of the rhythm cycle), starting first with the bottom part of the kotèkan (interlocking rhythm), and then proceeding to the top and more offbeat part. For an explanation of the notation below, see the North Indian Tala page. Also see the Pronunciation Guide to Indian Drum Syllables.

    +
 
15 |dhin * dha ge *   na ge *  ki ta *  ka dhin *   dha ge
4  |dhin * dha *  dhi na *  na ki *  ta ka *    kre dha *
    2
    dhin * * * * * dhin * dha ge *   na ge * ki ta
    dhin * * * * * dhin * dha *  dhi na * na ki *
    0
    *  ka dhin *   dha ge dhin * * * * * dhin * dha ge
    ta ka *    kre dha *  dhin * * * * * dhin * dha *
    3                                         +
    *   na ge *  ki ta *  ka dhin *   dha ge |dhin
    dhi na *  na ki *  ta ka *    kre dha *  |dhin

Ancient Rhythms--Future Grooves: MIDI Percussion Groove Tracks from the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India. Want more MIDI files? Get this complete collection of MIDI files based on the book Ancient Traditions--Future Possibilities.

 

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