Polyrhythmic Ostinatos - part 3
This lesson is adapted from an article that was published in Batteur Magazine in 1998. It talks about a concept used by Michael Brecker in one of his compositions, and Peter Magadini is also mentioned.
Example 1
Three variations of a cross-rhythmic ostinato. Each example is played four times:
Example 2
The same three ostinato patterns played in a sequence, with added bass-drum & snare:
Example 3
A similar concept, but with a shifting "Jazz Ride" pattern:
Example 4
The late Michael Brecker wrote an interesting song with the same shifting ostinato.
This pattern is taken from Escher Sketch, the first track of his CD "Now You See It, Now You Don't"
This pattern is taken from Escher Sketch, the first track of his CD "Now You See It, Now You Don't"
Musical examples are granted for your personal use only.
© 1998 Alain Rieder - all rights reserved
Artist: Michael Brecker
Album: Now You See It… (Now You Don’t)
Track: Escher Sketch – A Tale of Two Rhythms (short excerpt)
Cymbals: Adam Nussbaum
+ programmed drums
This piece begins with a standard ride-cymbal phrase, the familiar spang-a-lang pattern, and then shifts into the 6/4 pattern presented in Example 4.
Album: Now You See It… (Now You Don’t)
Track: Escher Sketch – A Tale of Two Rhythms (short excerpt)
Cymbals: Adam Nussbaum
+ programmed drums
This piece begins with a standard ride-cymbal phrase, the familiar spang-a-lang pattern, and then shifts into the 6/4 pattern presented in Example 4.
The album cover illustration is an adaptation of Sky and Water by Maurits Cornelis Escher (1898–1972). On closer inspection, you can see birds gradually transforming into fish. Escher’s work is famous for its optical illusions and distorted perspectives.
