What Is Groove?
What is groove?
Why do some songs groove while others feel lifelessly flat?
Groove is a peculiar concept. Most of us can name songs we consider groovy, but who can produce satisfying definition?
One might easily say that Groove is a beat, but I contest this is not necessarily so. Nowadays lazy electronic songs constantly bombard our attention span, and they all have a beat. Most of them are boring. Most of them have no groove.
So what is the secret to sweet, sweet groove?
Most of us can agree that Stevie Wonder’s hit Superstition has an irresistible groove.
What is it about Superstition that is so groovy? Let’s dive in.
As Levitin explains, a drum performance might be mathematically precise and yet lack groove. Each percussive blast can strictly align to a rigid grid of time without driving us on to the dance floor.
It is not actually the precise, metronomic repetition that crawls into our skin, he argues. Something more is happening.
Listen to the first few moments of Superstition now and focus your attention on the drums:
The kick drum and snare drum are repetitive. They set the tempo and reinforce the tempo in our minds. We hear a regular
However, in between those percussive blasts we hear the high-hat (cymbal) playing a different pattern each time! Sometimes a different note is accented, other times he adds and subtracts notes from the pattern.
This is where the groove comes to life. We can feel where the beat is, but we hear Stevie accenting different sides of the beat. Groovy! This adds to our overall sense that a groove is happening because we can contrast the different sides of the beat as the pulse stays regular.
I believe this is the secret to groove. When musicians combine regular elements with unpredictable elements, groove is born.
What songs do you think are groovy? Leave an example in the comments below!
I'll get the party started!
I believe Black Dog by Led Zeppelin is another perfect example of groove. The pulse is not strictly metronomic, but the band plays together in a way that is undeniable groovy.
I think that 'Groove' is the human connection of the musician to the listener through the magic of music. ;-)
Very nice thought. There is definitely a connection and emotional communication happening between all involved. I have heard it described as "Groove = Time + Emotion"
"Groove = Time + Emotion" Very good formula.
It's so interesting to me that there are people who would express that quantized music is "perfect" music, and though quantized music may be technically "perfect," I think the beauty of groove is in the imperfections perceived that surprise and delight us humans.
Your thoughts and guided introduction to the concept of groove is definitely on point here, @cosmicvibration! I'm exceptionally pleased to have read your insightful post!
Now, onto more healing vibration for me! ;-)
Peace and Love to ya!
@rusty-jernigan I am so glad you brought up the word "Perfect" in your point of discussion.
This is a shamefully misused word among music lovers. I follow your thinking that it's odd when people express quantized music as "perfect." I believe a more accurate descriptor is "precise."
Quantization allows music to be mathematically, metronomically precise but that is a long way from perfect. What kind of music do I consider perfect? I consider Ray Charles' rendition of Georgia On My Mind perfect, for example, and there is no quantization there.
In order to establish intellectual ground we must choose our words with great care. That is why I am so glad you share my concern for popular culture's trend of carelessly throwing about a word that should hold a deep, reverent meaning.
I agree, too, that those "imperfections" can add to the fun, playful, expressive human element.
Cheers
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