Rhythmic Roadways-expanding your phrasing
Imagine yourself taking a road trip across the country from the west to the east coast. Think of all the possible roadways, and combinations of roadways, to get there. Some are more simple or more basic then others, while others are more adventurous and scenic. No single way is necessarily right or wrong in and of itself; they are simply ways of getting from point A to point B.
Now, let's say that our 'trip across the country' is a trip through a musical timeline... It could be one, two, four, eight, etc. bars of music, the length of the phrase doesn't matter as much as knowing and understanding when you've reached your destination (aka the end of the phrase). In the same way that there are multiple routes to navigate cross-country travel, there are many possibilities of getting through a musical phrase. Understanding and having the confidence and familiarity with these musical roadways will greatly expand your phrasing and playing. It will open your ears to phrasing that is more creative and strengthen your internal clock.
One way that I have worked on, and become familiar with, these routes is by utilizing a number system for things I play. Using numbers helps me add up the 'miles' in unique ways until I've reached my destination. For example, take a 2 measure space of time. In 2 measures there are several possibilities of getting through the phrase. For this purpose I will think of a constant string of 16th notes through the 2 bars. This will give me 32 16th notes before the phrase is over. I then find stickings or patterns that are 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 notes long.
That might look something like this.(R= Right hand L=Left Hand)
So, the number matches the length of notes in each pattern. By playing the first note of every number as an accent you can really develop creative phrases. Once the numbers are memorized, it's just a matter of putting combinations together that will equal the leghth of the phrase. In this case, 32. The musical roadways are developed by figuring out all the number patterns (highways) that will get you to your final destination.
For example: 6 + 6 + 3 + 3 + 6 + 4 + 4 = 32.
This concept will work with any grouping of stickings and with a little creativity can provide endless hours of practice.
As a discalaimer, I believe this is a fantastic way to develop the "roadways" in your personal practice. I am never counting like this in an actual musical setting. The goal is that with enough practice and travel through these highways, you can get there without needing a map. I never have to think about how to get to downtown Minneapolis from my house. I've made the trip so many times I don't even think about it. THIS is the goal; that you've traveled and explored the roadways so many times that you, instinctively, know how to get to your destination.
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