Microtiming Idiolect: Methodologies for Microrhythmic Drumset Performance

Abstract

This practise-led research contains an autoethnographic account of a self-regulated practise project that developed a microrhythmic drumset idiolect. The project examines how a practitioner-researcher can extrapolate cognitive and physical performance strategies from the practise environment in service of performing a novel microrhythmic drumset vocabulary. The autoethnographic account examines the iterative designs and implementations of drumset motor learning tasks rehearsed with a selected microrhythmic referent used as a conduit for developing an idiosyncratic microrhythmic

vernacular. The use of a referential auditory stimulus was eventually phased out as an individualized attentional strategy was codified through the practise project: the Affective Antecedent/Ictus Couplet. An analytical framework was developed which correlated the outcomes of the practise project with research from attention, motor adaptation, habituation and dishabituation disciplines. The thesis also includes the development of the Novel Microrhythmic Syntax and offers a selection of solo and ensemble recordings that represent creative output which utilizes the procedures developed within this research.