Rhythm exercise 2-1

The master figure of the binary division

Featured figure

Name	Symbol	Duration
Two eighth notes		½ beat, ½ beat

Graphic
representation

Short note figures are beamed together in order to form groups whose total equals one beat.

This greatly simplifies reading the rhythm back.
This procedure is comparable to grouping letters together to form words.
An atemporal space is formed between each word or rhythmic figure, but it is ignored while reading.

Beaming

How to
perform
the
binary
division

A: Count 1, 2, 1, 2, aloud, making sure you space the numbers equally, be curt and precise.

B: Beat your foot on number 1 only.

C: Say Ta, Ta, instead of 1, 2.

You only have to perform the binary division for a few seconds before you start feeling it.
At that point, you don't have to count or be conscious of anything anymore.
The goal is to feel this rhythm physically.
You can stop saying it's a binary division and call it a binary feel.

The binary
division
becomes
the binary
feel

You may have to click the Play button twice
		Tempo 70 bpm		Tempo 100 bpm		Tempo 130 bpm

Count 1, 2, 3, 4, before you start

Try this exercise in swing feel