MAKING DUB WITH COMPUTERS - CHAPTER 8: PROGRAMMING THE NYABINGHI RHYTHM (?)

Programming the Nyabinghi rhythm is very difficult, if not impossible. Traditionally, it is played by many drummers, who interact to each other and to the hymns and chants they are singing on top of it. I would therefore suggest that you drop the idea of being able to program a traditional Nyabinghi session in midi (for programming a rhythm is always done in midi first, otherwise it should be a recording of sound, but more on that in the next chapters) and create a rhythm founded on the rhythm.

In the midisection of the Dubroom you can find a midifile which I have created, inspired on the Nyabinghi rhythm. I will use that midifile in this example, to show you a little about creating. In this example you'll see how I programmed a Nyabinghi style rhythm in a normal general midi drum setup. Take a look at the following screenshot, which is rather big so you'll have to click on the picture below, to see the complete screen in another window:

LISTEN: EXAMPLE0011.MP3 | EXAMPLE0011.MID

As you can see, the rhythm is rather complicated. I've used almost every single drum available in the General Midi setup. And while most of them are only playing on the accents, a few play some extra rhythms on top of it. 

The foundation (the heart beat, remember?) is the most important thing, and I've used different drums to accent it, not only a bass drum. This is, because if you have only the sound of one drum, it is not as full. I've played the accents on different drums, and also very loose. Because of the many different drums sounds, playing it loose will make the track much fuller then when everything would be too tight. It's like many drummers play in one time. 

The accent in this rhythm that I used, is on every first count of the measure. I've also included a drum set in this example (look at the big picture). The drum accent of my choice is a bassdrum (kick drum) and an open hi-hat. This is how sometimes a Nyabinghi style is played in reggae concerts, when there are no traditional Nyabinghi drums around. 

Every second measure there is also an accent to the last beat. The other beats are inspired and played according to the feel on the bassline and the drum accents on ever first count of the measure.  

For further studying of the Nyabinghi rhythm I would suggest that you buy some music from RAS MIKAEL AND THE SONS OF NEGUS

We will now close the chapters with background information the different reggae rhythms. 

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