Andrew Rathbun on Irregular Metric Modulations

Composer Andrew Rathbun explores abrupt tempo changes, going beyond double time and half time, as ways to unsettle or startle the listener using his piece “Reading The Exits”. Visit JazzComposersP... to watch full-length livestreams.
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Saxophonist, composer, and Toronto native Andrew Rathbun has achieved a rare depth of lyricism and compositional intelligence in 20 years as a recording artist. Voted as a “Rising Star” in the 2018 and 2022 Downbeat Critics Polls, he has documented his stirring original music with a series acclaimed recordings, on the Challenge, Fresh Sound and Steeplechase labels, and has collaborated with musicians like Kenny Wheeler, Billy Hart, Ben Monder, Bill Stewart and Luciana Souza . “Rathbun’s lines dance and glide,” writes David Whiteis of JazzTimes, “reflecting both childlike wonder and well-honed artistry.”
After hearing 2014’s Numbers & Letters the New Yorker declared Rathbun “a crafty saxophonist and composer whose ambitious work over the past decade has eluded the wider recognition it deserves.” Atwood Suites, Rathbun’s JUNO-nominated jazz-orchestra project was summarized in Jazziz Magazine; “On the basis of this CD alone, Rathbun deserves to be ranked among today’s top arranger- composers.” His latest recordings include “Semantics” which finds Rathbun with tenor sax great Rich Perry, and jazz percussion icon Billy Drummond. His music has been performed by the Capitol Quartet, the Danish Radio Big Band, the Brussels Jazz Orchestra, the David Liebman Big Band, and the Metropole Orkest. Rathbun is Professor of Saxophone and Chair of the Jazz Area at Western Michigan University.
Website: andrewrathbun.com
RUclips: / andrewrathbunmusic
Facebook: / andrew.rathbun.37
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AUDIO CREDITS
Intro: “Chance Encounter”, composed by Daniel Jamieson. Performed by Danjam Orchestra, on the album “Sudden Appearance” (2011) OA2 Records. danjam.ca/
Example 1: “Watching The Exits”, composed by Andrew Rathbun. Performed by the Western Jazz Collective on the album "Dark Journey: the Music of Andrew Rathbun" (2024)
Closing: “Crunchy Peanut Butter”, composed by Daniel Jamieson. Performed by Danjam Orchestra, on the album “Sudden Appearance” (2011) OA2 Records. danjam.ca/

[@yannmondehard4171]

Wouldn't it be more approachable to see what's possible with the subdivisions that you like to use rather than choosing a % of the speed and forcing numbers that you've never used before.
The 3:4 to 4:3 sounds neat though. You can also play in 7 by playing 4 dotted 8ths followed by 3 half triplets. Now it could be fun to add on dotted 8th or one more triplet?

[@JazzComposersPresent]

Thanks for watching Yann! It's all about experimentation, so whether it's % or subdivisions or any other approach the goal is to find and try new sounds until we get something we really like.
Plenty more full-length masterclasses on the website -- www.jazzcomposerspresent.com

[@AndrewRathbunMusic]

Sure, that is a possible approach as well. I was just interested in exploring what these shifts illustrated in the video might sound like, and how I might use them in a piece. I like asking the question "what if I" when trying to think of new approaches.

[@FinleyTressler]

Some great modulation stuff in here. In my very unprofessional opinion, I don't think that thinking in percentages is a good approach to thinking about modulations. Once you know how you modulating relative to the subdivision your using it can be nice to know that but I certainly wouldn't use it as a starting point. You can end up with much more abstract modulations if you think from a subdivision prespective(at least I think so). For example, with your 7/4 idea you have if you were to accent every 7th 16th note then your implying 4/4 as septuplets and then if you were to play the original 7/4 idea as a polymeter over the new pulse it could be cool. That approach is thinking more polyrhythmically as opposed just accenting a random number from a subdivision. That approach also has its benefits as well. Those just some thoughts.
Great video!

[@andrewrathbun176]

Glad you enjoyed the video. I have also used the approach you describe as well. I thought that approaching the change in tempo as a percent would be interesting to explore, and maybe yield a different result? More “food for thought” than anything else.

[@JazzComposersPresent]

Thanks for watching Finley - glad you enjoyed it (and Andrew's thoughts in reply)! Plenty of full-length masterclasses available on the website: www.jazzcomposerspresent.com