Text: CLASSIFICATION OF RHYTHMS preliminary draft (c)2001 by Michael Riversong Please inform if you need to pass this information on outside the list. In West Africa, an intensive and complex science of rhythm has been developed. There are many ways these rhythms are used in their native lands. Most well-known are the use of rhythms to invoke certain "loas", which is how these get their names. A Loa is, depending on your interpretation, either a god or a force of nature which can "ride" a human. People who are being ridden by Loas will often perform superhuman feats with no injury. In terms of Christianity or Islam, Loas would more properly be classified as types of demons. Therefore, caution is always advised when using any of the following classified rhythms. Of course in the normal release and marketing of music the very origins of these rhythms are generally unknown, which probably causes a lot of trouble. The use of these rhythms in clinical practice, to treat various medical conditions, is certainly possible but has not been adequately researched yet. None! of this applies to music from Central and South Africa, which is based on different principles. Yoruba = a West African urbanized culture, mainly located in the coastal cities of Nigeria. Asterisks denote the basic rhythm pattern. Beats given in parentheses are silent. Some beats are given as * for right hand, ^ for left hand. OGON Said to be the Yoruba God of Iron. This rhythm seems to create motivation. *^* *^* *^*^*^* LEGBA God of sex. Very common in many musical forms, including several South American types. You hear it a lot in Chuck Berry's music. * * * | ** | count 1 (2) AND (3) 4 (1) 2 3 (4) YEMAYA Goddess of the ocean. Seems to bring out natural feminine-type energies. Not heard very often. ^ **^ **^* FIRE This is, conversely, more of a male type energy. It appears to develop physical strength. This rhythm was also used by the Aztecs of Mexico, and possibly by the more ancient Olmecs. *^*^*^*^ ^* (triplet feel) ROCK REVERSE The one that everyone loves to hate -- this is what Dr. Diamond found in laboratory tests to induce muscle weakness wherever it is used. It is the direct opposite of the human heartbeat, and is used a lot in "Hard Rock" music. I don't know the African name, if there is any. ^^* ^^* ^^* ^^* There are many more of these. In order to really get it all put together, I would need several weeks of intense study, either in New York or somewhere in West Africa. New York is safer.

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