Creating a rhythm is a process as simple as two distinctive clicks, claps, taps.
The first hit falls precisely on what we call the "down beat". The second one will determine how long is the duration of one count.
In making music we can only play on two different places, the down beat or the off beat. That's it. Pretty simple.
Once we establish a tempo (at least two beats) there will be a specific down beat, very precise, can't miss that, it is there always happening at the same point in time. Now, the "off-beat"…well, that is a vast green field that could stretch for miles before we encounter the down beat again. In practical terms; there are a LOT OF PLACES to play during the "off-beat". We could hit it right after the DB stuttering the beat or right before the next DB creating syncopation. The question is how far from the DB should we play to achieve a desirable rhythm? By being accurate and consistent we would be executing different "styles" of music. Reggae. Rock. Blues. Brazilian. Funk. Many more. They all rely faithfully on a specific distance between the DB and when we play again in the OB.
DB - - - OB - - - DB - - - OB
So, this line above is showing a consistent tempo where we hear the DB wait 3 dashes for the OB then another 3 dashes and there is the DB again.
When we play precisely on the OB we are playing in the exact middle point of the distance between the 2 DB.
That would be the length of an 1/8 note if we have one count as a 1/4 note.
The trick is to be extremely aware of where the OB sits in between the 2 DB so we can play different rhythms and give patterns the right "feel".
But it is not all a mystery. Even though there are many options for when to play in the somber OB space, we can pretty much narrow it down to specific sub points. Get your calculator out. That is right, we need to count now.
play - - - play - - - play - - - play - - - play = straight beat
DB - - - OB - - - DB - - - OB - - - DB
DB - - - play - - - DB - - - play - - - DB = reggae
DB - - - OB - - - DB - - - OB - - - DB
play - - - play - - - play - play - OB - - - DB = bossa nova
DB - - - OB - - - DB - - - OB - - - DB
play - - - OB - play - DB - - - OB - - - DB = funk
DB - - - OB - - - DB - - - OB - - - DB
Here are just a few examples of how the distance between hits will define a whole style of music.
The basic idea is to divide the "count" in half and equally separate the DB and OB, once we've done that we can then choose to anticipate or delay the hits in between. Pretty cool, right? There is a lot of science to rhythm and music and trying to explain how it all works is a crazy task. The important thing is to get in to the groove and let your body understand the rhythm on a raw level, just like dancing. Once you get grooving to the beat it will be a lot easier to choose when to play and, most importantly, when NOT to play. Creating the right space between notes and allowing for the beat to breathe is genius. Have fun!
