Jon Arkin Workshop: The Study of Rhythmic Phrasing

A major part of learning how to play any kind music with authenticity is to become familiar with the kinds of phrases that advanced musicians tend to use. One of the keys to decoding interesting phrases lies in the study of polyrhythm and polymeter — learning how to count these rhythms, how to recognize the different ways in which they are typically used, and how to use them as a basis for phrasing within common musical styles and forms. This workshop will present a variety of concepts and exercises, which will help students of any level discover new ways of hearing, feeling, and practicing rhythm. Written examples of various rhythmic patterns will be provided, from the most fundamental cross-rhythms to their application over longer forms and cycles. With repetition of these patterns, one can train their ear to natively hear and feel many simultaneous rhythms at once, allowing for a much broader palate of expression in their phrasing.