How Bulería Compás relates to Bach, Latin Jazz, Swing & 6/8!

I just discovered/realized how 6/8 clave & bell patterns could relate to Bulerías!

I am working on experimental jam that would incorporate the Bach D minor Gigue, 6/8 bell and bulerías. Hopefully I’ll be able to pull it off and show what I am thinking.

A selection from the *D minor Gigue* – it’s in 12/8

Here’s the Bach movement from the Violin Partita that I am using:

D minor Gigue, Partita II, JS Bach, Solo Violin BMV 1004

Questions? Ideas!?

Would love to hear what people think! Please leave a comment and/or send a message!

Table of Contents

Basic Bulería Compás

Compas	12	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11
Bulería	x			X				x	x		X
Alternate count	1	+	2	+	3	+	4	+	5	+	6	+

The 3 & 10 are the big accents!

If you’re interested in learning more about Bulería Compás, please check out:

Compás (Bulería, Alegría, basic counting)

How Bulería Compás relates to 6/8 Short Bell

Compas

Bulería

6/8 Clave

6/8 Count

Universal Break

Bulería

Short Bell

6/8 Clave

Swing

Walk the Dog

Please note:
The short bell and the universal break, are the same rhythmic phrase!
Just shift the first beat of the phrase so that the short bell and the universal break lineup!

If you’re interested in learning more abut 6/8 groove, etc for jazz guitar, please check out:

Improve Jazz Guitar Groove (Right Hand Swing/Triplet Etudes)
Learn about Short Bell, Long Bell & Universal Break at Alternative Culture

Universal Break is Almost Like Swing!

6/8 Count

Universal Break

4/4 Swung

Swing

Walk the Dog

The first part of the universal break (first 6/8) is like the basic swing rhythm. Walk the Dog is basically another way to verbalize the ride cymbal pattern (Spang-a-Lang) of the bebop drummer.

Spang-a-Lang or Walk the Dog

Diagram of how to swing a groovy jazz beat (the basic spang-a-lang!) — Spang-a-lang or Walk the dog. A classic “bell pattern” for swing!

6/8 Count	1	.	.	2	.	.	3	.	.	4	.	.
Swing	x		x	X		x	x		x	X		x
4/4 Swung	1		+	2		+	3		+	4		+
Walk the Dog	x			X		x	x			X		x

The first part of the universal break (first 6/8) is like the basic swing rhythm. Walk the Dog is basically another way to verbalize the ride cymbal pattern (Spang-a-Lang) of the bebop drummer.

Friendly reminder: Please consider accenting the 2 & 4!

6/8 Clave is the Basis for 4/4 Clave

As you may well already know – the 6/8 clave may be heard as the basis for the 4/4 clave!

Please check out this quick article, he explains how the 4/4 clave comes from (relates) to the 6/8 clave:

Learn about Short Bell, Long Bell & Universal Break at Alternative Culture

Also, if you’re interested in Salsa Guitar:

How to Play Salsa Guitar!

How Afro-Cuban music influenced New Orleans beats

This shows the tresillo groove - on the 1, 2&, 4 of every measure. Great groove found in many types of music, either swung or straight eighths. — The ***Tresillo***!

Also, please consider the influence of the 6/8 and 4/4 claves, bells patterns and more on New Orleans music. A lot of New Orleans musicians just swung the Cuban stuff!

Practice Makes Progress!

Best wishes!