Repetition Repetition was Repetition

[Rick Walker <looppool@cruzio.com>]

When the human brain is presented with too little information,  it will 
start to project
information;   really, a form of hallucination.

I've posted a famous psychology experiment that I was lucky enough to 
participate in
a few times to this forum so I won't reiterate it, but the gist is that
presented with a tape loop of the non-word  'COGITAE'  25 scientists and 
artists
each generated a list of 25-35 words that they had 'heard' the speaker say
in 20 minutes of constant repetition.

This of course, is a psycho-acoustic phenomenon,  but I think it is one 
of the most
interesting aspects of why repetitive music is fascinating to a lot of 
human beings.

We are intrinsically pattern oriented due to the nature of our 
neurophysiology.

Because of this,  I always demonstrate by playing one minute of 
'shredding' drumming to students,
utilizing every single chop and conceivable time signature and tempi in 
a randomly
spit out order............no repetition if I can help 
it................after 30 seconds, it's
almost completely unlistenable, despite the years of technique and 
creativity I've put
into trying to achieve some mastery of my instrument.

I then play the kick on 1 and 3, the snare on 2 and 4 and the hi hats on 
8ths notes
for another minute.      The response is palpable.

It is always my first demonstration when trying to teach a young drummer 
how to 'groove'.

Steve Gadd played this exact exercise for five straight minutes when he 
did his
first ever solo drum clinic on the west coast (and every drummer worth 
their salt was in attendance,
many having flown up from LA just to see this rare thing).

He got a standing ovation when he finished.   He didn't play a single 
fill or vary his tempo, one perceptible
iota.

It's one of the most beautiful things I've ever witnessed musically.    
Every drummer I know who saw it raced home
to play for hours to try and get that 'feel'.