BookatlasPiano Rabbit Hole: Improvisation Theory & Practice
10900 / 18210 · Workshop 90 — Rhythmic Motif Development: Turning One Tiny Rhythm into a Whole Solo, Accompaniment Language, and Arrangement Identity← prev⊞ allnext →

90.1Start with pitchless rhythm

Ignore notes.

Tap:

short – short – long

For example, on an eighth-note grid:

♪ ♪ ♩

Do not worry about exact notation yet.

Just hear:

ta-ta-TAA.

That is a rhythmic motif.