Common Jazz Rhythmic Patterns

[jgbass]

I am sometimes struggling with writing down some of the correct rhythms in jazz transcription. I just cannot seem to get the rhythm notated just right. Close, but not exactly correct. Slowing it down helps, but does not solve the problem. Subdiviiding also helps. Notes are not the problem. I have learned a lot of classical and jazz music theory and solfege, etc., but the syncopation of the jazz seems to throw me in being able to notate it correctly.

Someone in the past mentioned that there are only 16 or so basic jazz rhythms and if one gets them learned, one can read most jazz literature.

This sounds kind of gimmicky and stupid, but, in a way it does make sense. There can only be so many possible, commonly used rhythmic patterns in jazz. I am sure I hear them all the time, but some how not making some kind of connection in translating it to notation. If one was very familiar with them, then one could easily recognize the common patterns without really having to think much about it and it would make transcription easier. I know all this comes with practice and experience, but going through a book like the Bellson book takes a awhile and I am looking for some simplication that clarifies what is most important to learn and what patterns are used most often.

[JtheJazzMan]

hey? only 16 "jazz" rhythms? i dont think i like the sound of that

im not sure where you heard that but it sounds like a gross misrepresentation and you should forget it. music is music. all this pegging into neat groups and constraints doesnt help.

im not sure what youre looking for, but maybe just put up a clip of the problem bars and we can help you

[dkziemann]

If you have a trouble spot, try conducting slowly and singing the rhythm. You can visually see where the beat lies in your conducting pattern, and it DOES help.

[hairscrambled]

Try putting two bars of 4 together. Write 8 quarters first. Then replace each quarter with two eighths. That makes eight two bar rhythms. Now do the same with dotted quarter - eighths. Include a tie across the bar line. Do the same with quarter and eighth rests. Play them swing and straight. There are many combinations you'll see again and again. Much of what you see in jazz charts are in these.

[Pat Harris]

If you're trying to put specific rhythms to transcriptions, you may have to "round off" some of the rhythms. Every jazzer, including bassists have their own way of subdividing the beat. There isn't really an exact science to transcribing rhythms. Some of it can just be an approximation. For instance, a guy like Scofield can burn eighth notes in a totally metronomic way, and in the same solo he'll play some eighths that are totally laid back on the beat. They are all eighth notes, but clearly there is a difference in the sound. I've come across this sort of thing in a few transcriptions I've done. I usually just write the best approximation of what the rhythm would be, and then I include some sort of note above the measure like "behind the beat," or "freely." Maybe it's an easy way out, but I think it's valid.