From Brubeck to Tigran: Complex Rhythm in Contemporary Composition
A cross-genre composition class that will explore complex rhythmic concepts such as odd meter and linear polyrhythm in modern jazz, progressive metal and world music. Students in the course will learn to compose in the odd meter environment through analysis of grooves, rhythmic cells, metric modulation and polyrhythms. The course will go through the origins of the different rhythmic concepts in jazz and world music, as well as analyze music by leading modern artists such as Tigran Hamasyan, Meshuggah, and Karim Ziad. The course will also explore different approaches to rhythm around the world like the Indian Konnakol system, and Middle Eastern traditional grooves. The course will culminate in each student composing a full musical piece that includes the rhythmic concepts presented in the course.