Clapping Music (minimalism on the bass guitar) [ AN's Bass Lessons #29 ]

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/ adamneely
Background Music:
sungazermusic.bandcamp.com
Clapping music is a "simple" piece of minimalist music from Mr. Minimalist himself, Steve Reich. It is a really fun composition that has all sorts of things that can teach us about rhythm and pulse.
Clapping Music Visualized
• Clapping Music - Anima...
F***ing bonkers version done by Jugglers!
• Clapping Music
Clapping Music: A Performers Perspective (I referenced this quite heavily in this video)
www.researchgate.net/publicat...
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Peace,
Adam

[@BenLevin]

This is the best freaking channel.

[@beatbrick]

Absolutely. It says "Bass Lessons". False: it's music, history, pedagogy, and culture in general. Thanks Adam for sharing your knowledge!

[@goncalomarques2711]

I can't stand the waiting for the new videos

[@gabrielvictorrusso5931]

We the people of the internet need more Neely Levin crossovers

[@crimfan]

Tony Levin!

[@vwlz8637]

Wait.. adam neely + ben levin = adam levin.

[@GAMMY_NFRNZ]

Hey, Adam. I totally freaked out when I realised that the rhythm sounded like stuff I grew up with (I'm Ghanaian). Don't worry about butchering the pronunciation of Atsiagbekor. If you're curious, it should sound like "ah-chia-behkor" you get the 'gb' sound by vocalising whilst making a pop sound with your lips. *the more you know jingle*

[@nanadanso5958]

I'm Ghanaian too!!!

[@nanadanso5958]

Sounds typical Ewe!!!!

[@karlboud88]

Wow that's really cool, reading the way it's pronounced actually makes the gb sound going from chia to behkor

[@hickorymccay2994]

In grade school, my music class brought in a Ghanaian drumming teacher, which was really interesting. I've been really into West African music since then.

[@ems7623]

Ah. The famous West African "gb" sound. I once asked a linguist how to correctly pronounce it and got a ten minute lecture on phonetics. :)

[@pierre-emmanuellevesque1535]

This channel is a goldmine of musical information. I have a master's in classical music, but I'm still learning tons with each video.

[@deldia]

As soon as I saw the title I knew it would be an injustice not to mention Spain. It's a whole profession for many people in Spain and they are mind blowingly good at it in flamenco. I live in Andalusia and you'll often see people hanging out on the street passing time practicing their clapping.

[@darkendkefka]

Knock knock. Who's there? Knock knock. Who's there? Knock knock. Who's there? Knock knock. Who's there? Steve Reich

[@mbedj1974]

wrong that would be philip glass

[@rickvosper7318]

@@mbedj1974 I've heard the joke told about Glass too, but in the context of Clapping Music, Reich is definitely a funnier answer. Bonus Trivia: Reich and Glass had a moving service together in NYC for years when they were coming up.

[@DisRespectoids]

Kevin H knock knock knock Knock knock Knock Knock knock

[@tomaz720]

Repetition legitimates

[@haha69sexnumber]

Knock knock Who's there Knock knock Ho's there w Knock knock O's there wh

[@adrian5b]

This version of Bang Bang is just perfect.

[@EversonBernardes]

Dude, you're melting there.

[@efebezmez6386]

BUT DOES IT CLAP

[@axeofcreation]

Haha!

[@metal6897]

Incredible video as always, by the way

[@ForcesOfRandom]

Efe Bezmez o

[@bjrnvindabildtrup9337]

it's also that song about drugs from queens of the stone age

[@lucasmachado3816]

THANK YOU!

[@elirutter3075]

Helgi Hilmarsson I knew I recognised that!

[@MagnificentFiend]

"Feel Good Hit Of The Summer"

[@MinkyUrungus]

Pretty close.

[@Jim_Thomas_Draper]

@@MinkyUrungus It's essentially identical until it's not (which happens by the second measure of the QOTSA song if you try and line them up!)

[@ThePaddymike]

I'd like to see a djent band cover clapping music.

[@JDeissreVIEWSFROMHELL]

Soybeans queens of the Stone Age made a song with the exact same beat

[@gabefinalperigee]

Dillinger Escape Plan. Honeysuckle.

[@wokeupinapanic]

I did a pattern similar to this at the end of a metal track I wrote when I was 21ish, without having a clue about any of this. It comes out sounding more of a spanish influence in my track, as the beats align, but the beginning of it is actually just two composite patterns playing off of each other, where the guitars maintain one pattern, and bass contains the other. I forget which the drums follow, but I think they follow the guitars, if memory serves.

[@wokeupinapanic]

Also, there are MUCH earlier examples of DEP using beat phasing and concepts like this. The bridge in 43% Burnt comes to mind, where the guitars are offset by an 8th note to create a pattern dissonance. I'm sure there are earlier examples on Running Board or Self Titled, but I just woke up and haven't had my coffee yet lol. And plus, they weren't a commercialized sack of pop songs back then.

[@FostersLab]

For what it's worth, here is my shot at a djent/experimetal Clapping Music: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGWuequkaLNrnKc Enjoy :)

[@SteveGouldinSpain]

Always good!. For what it's worth I live in a small village near Seville, Spain and, as an ex-pat Brit, I'm always amazed at how regular Spanish people (by which I mean non-musicians), old or young, clap along to music - it's as though they get those subtle flamenco rhythms straight out of the womb!

[@kwstaskartas9488]

The necker cube analogy was brilliant.

[@NoPlaceForTheDead]

Upper left Adam is intense Adam.

[@Bandolero8000]

You can tell which clapping is phasing by the pained look on your face ;) Awesome channel and btw you have one of the coolest intros on KZbin.

[@vincentdullmiles]

This one reminds me of Queens of the Stone Age "Feel Good Hit of the Summer"

[@onofre4390]

I love how he says "Bang Bang, composed by a producer"

[@franktaylor7978]

I studied flamenco for years. He took the 12 beat pattern from the bulerias where the musicians play with 3-2 beats or 2-3 beat patterns. It’s a really fun rhythm

[@drewg.3049]

This is without a doubt the best song I have heard from the last 10 years of music. I hope it becomes a hit.

[@axeofcreation]

Awesome piece of music, fun app, and great video!

[@whaleguy]

Great to see you here Greg!

[@idioticidealist]

I really like seeing the facial expression difference between the unphased and the phased parts. As someone who as performed this live (I was the unphased part) I can only appreciate your concentration so much. But it’s a good bit. Love the channel. Keep doing your good work!

[@F3z07]

This is still one of my favorite videos of all time. We love you, Adam!

[@jakejones3529]

Mudvayne - Trapped In The Wake of a Dream. My first experience with this. Truly amazing. Thank you for giving a name to the rhythm!

[@TRTSMTT]

I discovered your channel last night, and I have to say that now I have all those question about the metaphysics of music have now FINALLY been answered. The psychology of music is something most musicians don't know about. I love clapping music and have to say that your cover/mashup is a post-modern masterpiece!

[@koteynikoi-kotei9301]

When I heard the clapping rhythm in groups of 3 8th notes at the 2:27 mark I knew this sounded West African. *feeling proud*. I must congratulate myself for not sniggering when you tripped over the pronunciation of "Atsiagbekor". Even we in Ghana marvel at how the Ewe people are able to speak without biting their own tongues!

[@Leblackstone]

This is the feel good hit of the summer.

[@millymcalister5575]

This is such a brilliant video! I absolutely love the analogy of the different time signatures with the necker cube because that was exactly what I was thinking of too before you said it. Keep up the great work Adam

[@kurth6595]

Just discovered this piece a few months ago and was totally fascinated. I love what you did with this!

[@bschart]

Bravo! Association is the heart of art.

[@PhilipBennett1993]

I'm really enjoying your videos. I graduated from music school two years ago and have been working in music full time ever since. Your videos are such a great way to, not only, have an insight into another working musicians lifestyle but to also keeping learning new musical ideas! Keep it up!!!!

[@Elgeneralsimo69]

Minimalism, clapping, and out-of-the-box "y~" thinking? You have and always will be speaking my jam, Adam! Bass!

[@ZZaGGrrUzz]

Just found your channel and can't stop watching, so much usefull information.

[@corneroftheroom3896]

Anyone else think of "feel good hit of the summer" at the start?

[@spamsingles5948]

@Wadsmitter yes

[@dejesusrussell]

Adam, thanks for coming out to show them

[@fnrd3858]

That cover at the end is right up my alley. Loved it :)

[@andreybermudez7835]

Bro you are amazing !!! Really inspiring to discover new ways to explore the music !! Thank You

[@hurdygurdyman3134]

Who thought the beginning recording was actually Feel Good Hit Of The Summer

[@Tommat194]

Nice! One of my favourite KZbinr's talking about my favourite composer. My friend from college and I perform Clapping Music nearly every time we meet. Fun fact - it's a lot of fun to attempt drunk! It's worth noting that whilst Clapping Music does use a phase technique, as you said, it's more of a 'pseudo' phase rather than 'true' phase. 'True' phase can be found in Reich's earlier tape work, such as "Come Out" and in his later phase work such as "Piano Phase". In these pieces, the phase is done seamlessly - one voice almost imperceptibly changes speed and keeps that very, very slow phase going throughout. In the instrumental works like Piano Phase, they gradually phase until they lock in again on the next quaver, then the process is repeated. Clapping music is a 'pseudo' phase since it phases immediately after a given amount of time - usually 4, 8 or 12 bars. Reich has said he originally wrote Clapping Music to be a 'true' phase, but it turned out far too difficult for performers to pull off - and I can see why. I personally can't wrap my head around how people achieve the 'true' phase, but it totally is possible, so there ya go. Regardless, great video, cheers for spreading the good word! The more people hear this kind of music the better imo :)

[@georgegoom3453]

AMAZING VIDEO. Very insightful and informative, and the vocoder part blew my mind. Genius!!

[@ems7623]

I didn't know he got the idea from an experience in Spain. This was one of the first modern pieces i learned and definitely the first minimalist piece i heard performed. Your adaptation of interesting, restoring some of the African rhythmic sensibility to the Reich.

[@fraukapitaen7]

Cool! And really impressively shown the potential beauty of "minimalistic" approaches.

[@meroinheroin]

Adam, I just wanna tell you that your videos always put me in a better mood. I could be pissed out of my mind but watching your videos makes me feel better. Thanks, and greetings from Miami, FL :)

[@coleemmersonhallman5329]

This is the first video I've watched and this is amazing

[@Tubluer]

Nice innovation. A cool thing happens at public performances of Clapping Music. When the audience applauds you can hear strange echoes of the music in the applause.

[@shawnhale2631]

Awesome stuff, Adam. As a drummer with varying issues interfacing with my jazz major guitarist, or funk-souled bassist, these videos help alleviate those issues!

[@CitizenBob40000]

I applaud your clapping video and, as a software writer, admired that you put the escape condition on your schedule of future video releases.

[@efryo]

One of the coolest videos I've stumbled upon regarding Clapping Music.

[@jedidrummerjake]

God, I love this channel! BRILLIANT!

[@bubblegum6514]

Thank you very much,Adam!!

[@DotLevine]

The piece of music at the end is my favorite thing I've heard from you musically. Love the channel. Thanks!

[@victora.r.8583]

I love this channel. Thanks!

[@geoffstockton]

That sounded great. I'm feeling the harmonized vocoder bass melody. Especially that little eastern sounding embellishment at the end of one of the lines.

[@danielmcelroy4505]

Love love love (and the vocoder episode!!)

[@ajadrew]

Never give up making these videos Mr Neely

[@michaelryan1767]

It's blatantly obvious just how much you enjoy doing what you do, from the massive grin on your face at the end of the clapping song (which sounds fantastic btw). I don't even play bass and I love your channel man, keep up the quality content :)

[@EricssonB]

That harmonic on the G-strang does it for me. Hella.

[@ThePhlegming]

Thank you for posting this on your IG so I could enjoy it all over again ❤

[@mapleboyalex]

This is soo cool! I never knew how clapping music worked before this video. Love your channel!

[@fraxinellla]

Been playing that Clapping Music app.. now I'm inadvertently tapping it out when pressing buttons repeatedly, knocking on doors, tapping food off of a mixing spoon, etc.. I think "shave and a haircut, two bits" has officially been overwritten in my subconscious..

[@RussellRodgers]

Great to meet you tonight!! Love your lessons!!

[@tobiasskulls4934]

Just learnt about this recently as part of my audio degree, it's so cool.

[@alejandronieto576]

Dude, this is awesome. Thanks.

[@PS-ls5io]

Best KZbin Channel ever!

[@hacerclic1020]

That was brilliant Haikus are my favorite Love the t-shirt too

[@francoomarlopezlopez]

If you like haikus You should watch jacksfilms some day He likes haikus too

[@deanthe3684]

That middle line disturbs me. The first and last words could both be pronounced like two syllables or three, but you have to pick one for each number.

[@akkratuns]

Amazing video as always!

[@dummeQ]

We had to study and perform clapping music as our first assignment for the music focus class back in high school. That rhythm has stuck with me since then. Awesome video as always! (= Looking forward to the vocoder video

[@rickvosper7318]

If you analyze Clapping Music rhythmically, you'll see it creates a complex arch structure. Very cool. PS: Thanks so much for talking about this stuff!

[@TomOConnorBassGuitar]

Ive had a lot of fun learning to play the two patterns at the same time, tapping my hands on my legs or with drums, really helps with your independence of your limbs for drumming. It's also good fun taking each of the patterns and applying the 'modes of rhythm' (Antony Wellington) to it to get another 11 feels for each pattern when played against a pulse. Great video'

[@charleskrutzen94]

This is GREAT!!!

[@Gifthoarse]

REICH for the MODERN age. You make it look so effortless. DIG!

[@musyclover]

Best channel on youtube. I said it!!! Love you Neeeeely damn you

[@gabrielvictorrusso5931]

Thanks Adam.

[@VitaliiRupp]

Hi Adam, valuable video. Thank you for doing this lessons. You are awesome teacher!

[@bryanpotts5594]

Holy crap did I love your rendition.

[@davidlindholm2313]

I can't get over how fantastic your intro is. haha

[@hugotahell]

Good god. That was amazing.

[@gerryjamesedwards1227]

BESTest version of BangBang! Evor!

[@adampierce9403]

this video is very helpful with my latest composition many thanks

[@44Amos]

That was sweet Adam, That was sweet.

[@andrewdeck7945]

That final song, dayum!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ShamDBHB]

the stresson your favce when you're doing the song is real man!!!

[@razvysme]

I like your mixing, keep u the good work.

[@averypowell975]

hi adam! I love your videos!

[@jonhillman871]

this song is a great listen for me.

[@cloud_uti]

Feel Good hit of the summer

[@mckinleycalloway8918]

Neat to see Russell Hartenberger pop up. He did a lecture at PASIC earlier this month where he talked about more performance practices for the music of Steve Reich. Mr Hartenberger had a book published through Cambridge Press on the topic in October.

[@fg87fgd]

Thank's for doing it. Many thanks.

[@hilikliming]

Dude, you rock

[@viktorskarnes7887]

that was really cool man! it was very inspiring!

[@Konsolensammler]

thanks so much without you i would have never found this.

[@mathieulanglois6080]

very interesting as always!

[@TrevorPeachMusic]

That was sick!

[@ScreamingTim]

10 odd years off subscribing and watching youtube videos. My very first post. I really, really enjoyed that. That is all for another 10 years.

[@dpdupuis5]

I almost passed it up, glad I didnt. That was extremely awesome and surprisingly musical. Good stuff man!

[@GaviLazan]

Loving your Threadless shirt!

[@tleuven]

Epic, epic, epic.

[@peter-andrepliassov4489]

Hey Adam, I noticed your channel is becoming less and less about bass guitar and more about music in general. Is it a conscious decision, did it just happen by itself or am I completely wrong?

[@beatbrick]

this^

[@evanwilliamson8338]

Maybe it is slightly shifting away from bass, but it's always been a miscellaneous sort of music lessons channel. I mean, half of his vids are Q+As now, so clearly his intentions aren't to cover all the basses of bass guitar.

[@AdamNeely]

The reason why half my videos are Q+A's are because 1) They typically are well-received and watched, but mainly 2) They require a dickton less work to film and edit. Each one of my videos is now taking more and more time to research, edit and film, and with how busy I am with my "day job" of being a musician, the Q+A's help keep me on my once-a-week schedule.

[@s0me1up]

+Adam Neely well here's a suggestion for the next video since this was about rhythms: explain the differences between polymeters, polyrhythms and composite rhythms and show typical applications of each in classical and modern music. i believe with your musical expertise it won't require extensive research and the editing should stay minimal (pun intended).

[@WollyChaps]

Dickton, n. A measure of stress. One dickton is the equivalent to 2,000 Standard, Normalized Dickweights OR 100 Dickbutts (Imperial standard)

[@Funkybassuk]

The rhythm is so funky and so metal at the same time - fitting considering its composition in 1972!

[@gordonadam85]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnvOXquLhb6BqZY Djent Cover!

[@ShirshakRajKunwar]

So much information thank you

[@rubenstroem]

feel good hit of the summer , QOTSA

[@MechaBryan]

Great video. Great channel.