Introduction

By: Paul Edge

Throughout history, the importance of rhythm and frequency as sociological and ethereal response activators cannot be doubted. The purpose of this article is not to convince that any particular modality is right or wrong but to draw parallels between consistent elements that transcend time, space and cultures.

In the first segment I will examine rhythm and why, in the discussion of the current genre of sound healing, it is often overlooked. I will explore specific patterns, tempo and how they coalesce to create an apparent therapeutic value.

In the second segment I will examine the actual frequencies that appear to have profound effects, how conscious/unconscious dissociation occurs when frequency is used to enlighten, empower and conversely manipulate and control, plus draw on my own music and anecdotal evidence to arrive at what are hopefully interesting and thought providing conclusions.

A note here. Many people take offense at my use of the term conscious. Whilst I personally believe words have power because of their analogous properties and should be used appropriately, my use of the term conscious is not in any way an attempt to be disparaging to anyone's belief system.

Rhythm is a quintessential part of nature. For example, there are 3 types of biological rhythms; circadian, infradian and ultradian. In neuroscience, we also see a "central pattern generator", a section of the neural network that generates rhythm without any sensory input. In Nature, rhythm is again to be found. In fact, it is perhaps the most basic pattern in nature.

"The more closely you look into the entire physiological process that constitues the dynamic form we call 'life', the more minutely, diversely, and elaborately rhythmic it proves to be. - Langer 1957

Most humans will relate rhythm to music and understandably so, however the question that has always interested me is whether humans are hardwired to respond to - and produce certain features of music. Consciously, a song is almost overwhelmingly identified by the melody. For example, there is even a long running show called "Name That Tune" which focuses on that particular aspect. I have often wondered, just how different (and successful) a show would be called "Name That Rhythm".

In contemporary pop culture, the drummer is often regulated to an afterthought because the conscious focus is always on the lead singer. Yet, when one realizes that it is the drummer who keeps the entire performance together, be it John Bonham of Led Zeppelin, Ringo Starr of the Beatles, Keith Moon of the Who, Ginger Baker of Cream etc, one starts to begin to appreciate the critical part rhythm.

The fact that a lot of the great drummers appear to be what is perceived as "insane" (they are anything but) gives further credence to some of the ideas later discussed, such as a simultaneous Delta and Gamma experience.

In a research study published by Science Magazine, ethnomusicologist Patrick Savage from the Tokyo University of Arts summed up the research as follows: "Musical evolution obeys some general rules similar to the kind that govern biological evolution".

The article goes on the examine for example, what aspects of music are consistent across cultures (of the conclusions they arrived at, 18 features were found to be present of which 6 were rhythmic)

The article continues with a further study carried out by Cognitive scientist Andrea Ravignani, at the Univeriteit Brussel in Belgium. Under controlled conditions, the experiment found that when groups of 8 students were subjected to randomly generated beats, by the end of the experiment each student had created highly structured patterns that reflected all six rhythmic universals.

As a dj/producer and someone with an innate understanding of the importance of rhythm, one that has led to global exposure for my music, as I began to delve deeper into the question "what is the purpose of rhythm" many years ago. I began to notice that certain rhythms had more influence than others, in particular the 4x4 and triplet rhythm. When a traumatic event in 2012 changed the direction of my life, the importance of these observations made on a global scale, learnings I had studied at almost obsessional level for many years, driven by an unconscious knowing that this was very important even though consciously I could not explain it. As esteemed internationally renowned producer Woody McBride noted:

"Much like why classic rock has more soul than modern rock, classic techno artists from the 80's and 90's can understand and transmit deeper and more universal ideas and musical messages that work to awaken the human spirit at the recreational and sub-atomic level. Paul Edge is one of those producers - he has made a science of it."

On this journey of research, I have noticed that the 4x4 and triplet rhythms have been used almost exclusively in the ceremonies of the Aborigines, Native Americans, African Shamans, The Tribes of New Guinea, The Maori, Traditional Celtic Music and the Incas. The emergence of electronic dance music in the late 80s which has resulted in the largest youth influence of all time, far outlasting in time the much lauded 60s psychedelic rock movement, both the 4x4 and triplet rhythms are the foundational element.

As I began to embrace Erickson's work and watched his hypnotic sessions, I observed a combination of 4x4 and triplet rhythm. Many people become obsessed with the patterns of Milton Erickson, the work of Grinder and Bandler, which resulted in NLP has been hugely influential in this respect. However a study of Erickson's actual sessions will show that without rhythm and tempo these patterns simply become tool for conscious manipulation.

Frequency also can be converted into tempo. In healing, it is accepted that the Delta range plays a vital role in health and well being. In meditation, Tibetan monks who have been meditating for years can reach Delta. At the Center for Neuroacoustic Research, Delta has been shown to produce ecstatic states of consciousness, high-level inspiration states, spiritual insight and out-of-body experiences.

When we observe the BPM associated with Delta States however, something immediately jumps out.

• 1 HZ - 60 BPM
• 2 HZ - 120 BPM
• 2.2 HZ - 132 BPM
• 3 HZ - 180 BPM

Those familiar with Electronic Dance Music will immediately notice that the 4 major genres that have influenced the world all fall within the above ranges.

As we further apply these tempos to the great teachers, orators and influencers of society, for example, Martin Luther King (129 BPM 4x4 rhythm) and Obama (130 bpm 4x4 rhythm) one can extrapolate that there is a natural tempo and rhythm that results in profound social change.