Ice breaker Fun maker Rhythm shaker

Master Facilitator

Pulse, Wave and PulseWave are words I use as a convenient way to describe a variety of seemingly polarized experiences. First and foremost is the unity/duality of mind and body, and their related approaches to learning rhythm.

PulseWave also sums up several other concepts which inform my teaching style: additive/divisive rhythmic principles, sequential/simultaneous modes of consciousness, the continuum of pulsation and pitch, as well as the particle/wave duality found in quantum physics.

The PulseWave percussion method seeks to describe, teach and impart music using both micro and macro perspectives.

First let me describe my terms. In the sense that I choose to use "pulse" I am referring to a singular event, a percussive stroke that creates a sound. This is in contrast to another way to use the word in which "pulse" means a sequence of evenly timed strokes. I use "wave" to mean an oscillation, a surge or swell, a movement to and from. A "pulse," then, can be likened to a point or particle and a "wave" to a cyclic movement over time.

From a rigid view then, Pulse and Wave are opposites. However, when we explore the flexible world of quantum reality we find that both matter and light exhibit qualities of both particle (point or pulse) and wave (vibration). This is one of the paradoxes of modern physics, that those things we think of a stable are, on a micro level, vibrations or waves, and that those things we perceive as waves (sound, light) have qualities of particles.

I use the pulse/wave terminology as a jumping off place to describe my approach to both teaching musical concepts and understanding musical experiences.

I use "pulse" to refer to the micro approach of analytically learning the sequence of strokes and hand positions of a pattern. Counting, notation, terminology, concepts and parts are in the realm of pulse, the intellectual, sequential mind. Learning in this manner may accelerate the student's musical development.

I use "wave" to refer to the overall, macro, experience of the music. Learning by way of imitation, movement and singing drumlike sounds, is in the realm of wave, the intuitive, the body. Learning to play with "feel" and fluidity are indicators that the student has immersed herself in the "wave." Typically this requires many hours of repetition.

Pulse and Wave can also be used to describe two complimentary approaches to describing rhythm. The nonwestern, additive concept views rhythm from the standpoint of how the small, fast-moving strokes are grouped into patterns. I call this the pulse approach.

Many of us are more familiar with the European system which is based on a divisive concept. It starts from large intervals marked by slow moving pulses (half or quarter notes) that are divided and subdivided into patterns. I call this the wave approach.

I teach and describe using both systems. I find that beginners respond to the "pulse" view and that as they progress the "wave" view becomes easier. The reverse is not always true, however. People schooled in the European system often have a hard time grasping the feel of nonwestern rhythms. The PulseWave percussion method can address this.

The PulseWave percussion method seeks to describe, teach and impart music using both micro and macro perspectives.