Fire Tribe Gathering

A Quick Guide to Alchemical Rhythmatism

Alchemical Rhythmatism (A.R.) is Easy! You learn it by doing it. Once you get the basic idea, it can be applied in many different ways.

AR is a fun game familiar to many people at the Gathering. It could happen at anytime during the Circle.

Key Features

1. Furnace – a semi-circle of musicians (where music gets cooked). The open space in the center is called the Gratitude Zone - an area where dancers can interact very directly with the musicians.
   
   
2. Groove – the single rhythmic phrase referenced by all musicians. It serves as the foundation for all the music in the circle.
   
   
3. Lines – The groove contains high and low "Lines." The High Line is defined by the key high-pitched tones of the groove, and the Low Line is defined by the low, bass tones in the groove. When these separate lines are played by differently-tuned instruments, the result is surprisingly complex and tasty.
   
   
4. Roles – A.R. has several musical roles, each with a different job:
   
   Groove Guide – sets and keeps the Groove, usually on a hand drum or other instrument with both a high and low tone. Approach this role in service, not from ego.
   
   Mirror – matches the groove.
   
   Pulse – keeps the beat like a metronome on the whole, half, or quarter note on a shaker.
   
   High Line – matches only the groove's high tones on a high pitched instrument.
   
   Low Line – matches only the groove's low tones on a low pitched instrument.
   
   Soloist – plays complementary rhythms and improvisations on any instrument, even the voice.
   
   Anyone can play any of these roles. Before playing in the Groove Guide or Soloist roles, consider playing a support role, first.
   
   
5. Variations – Some roles can play variations on the groove. The soloist and anyone playing the High or Low line can add a sixteenth note immediately before or after the key beats (or by dropping one key beat entirely). This way of varying the groove sustains the structure of the rhythm.
   
   
6. Changing Roles – Everyone has a chance to rotate through the various roles. People can switch roles at anytime, including the middle of a piece. You can even change instruments. Just make eye contact, smile, and communicate through words or gesture that you'd like a turn. They can either give up the spot or shake their head (meaning "please wait, I'm in the middle of something"). You can also gesture to invite someone else to take your place, so you can do something else for a while.
   
   
7. Verbal Cues – A.R. is all about the power of connecting, and connecting is all about communication. Verbal cues can invite the ensemble to move in a given musical direction. Anyone, even singers and dancers, can make these calls. To make a call, get people's attention by stepping into the Gratitude Zone or just calling "Hep!" meaning "Listen up! Something is happening."
   
   "hep" or "listen up" - something is about to happen.
   "match me" - copy my rhythm (you become the Groove Guide).
   "level up" / "level down" - bring the volume up / down.
   "sup" or "slowit" – gradually speed up or slow down.
   "steady" – Stay at this volume or tempo.
   "tighten up" - simplify & reconnect with the groove.
   "sail in" or "sail out" - slowly fade in or fade out.
   "shine on ___" - invite someone to solo.
   "show me One" - show the beginning of the groove.
   
   
8. Interaction & Support – Musicians guide each other. If you hear someone having trouble finding their part or place in the music, offer help. If you have trouble, look to your playmates for support. Please offer and receive help graciously. Approach the challenges of getting "it" and sharing "it" by having fun with "it."
   
   
9. Silence – We make music in service to the Circle. Sometimes that means actively creating a silence, even total silence. Stay aware of the dancers, singers, spoken word offerings and general energy around the fire. Practice active listening.

Adapted from contributions by Joshua Levinand Michael Wall.