There is a strange effect occurs when we strip away notes from patterns and then try to play them. Often they get harder, and harder can mean more interesting.

If you are looking for inspiration or to get unstuck, take some notes away from your rhythm and see what you are left with. Play the spaces that remain.

Space in music allows tension to build. It increases drama to intensify. Experiment with the space that you use and strip away elements to reveal a sculpture of rhythm that demands attention.

When my students slip into that trap of the endless search for new beats, stripping down the rhythms that they already have can shift their perspective and open their ears to new syncopations.

A statement in rhythm with many notes can often be stripped back to say more with less.

Be economical.

Take away the flesh from your grooves and explore the wide open spaces that remain.