ARTIST FEATURE: From music by Miles Davis to sarod, a traditional north indian plucked string instrument, arabic lute and turkish saz, meet producer, musician, educator and world-traveler from Slovenia – Igor Bezget. We are so glad he is joining us for this end-of-the-week artist feature!

1) Why is rhythm important?

Rhythm is important because it is essential… Rhythm is a basic aspect of our lives on all levels from the heartbeat to breathing – an every day cycle and changing seasons to the principal of the whole universe and beyond… Also in music… Rhythm is everything… It is a matter of perception… Every tone is actually a rhythm in very fast tempo… Our perception from rhythm to note changes with increasing of tempo like perception changes when we look at something like a forest from different distances… When we watch it from close distance we see every individual tree… But when we watch the same forest from the airplane we see only a green surface… Same is with rhythm and tone… In slow enough tempo we hear separate beats… When we increase the tempo enough the same rhythm becomes a tone… More tones sounding together as harmony are from this perspective creating a very fast polyrhythm… This is why for me in music rhythm is everything.

2) How do you practice your rhythm and sense of time?

I guess I am doing it as most musicians do… Slowing down to be able to play it fast… Slow tempo is like a musical microscope where u can easier recognize details of what you actually do… So i first try to feel it… Than i analyze and practice it in a slow and exact tempo to the point where it becomes comfortable and natural… Then increase it to the performance tempo or up to the point where it still feels it naturally… Playing with musicians that have good sense of time is also important… Because rhythm depends on subjective feeling and compromise between everybody who plays together in time… Playing with great musicians is the best way of learning and growing as a musician in every aspect.

3) What are your favorite rhythmic exercises?

On my music path I am fortunate to have collaborated with musicians from many music cultures and traditions… I started as rocker and later learned some jazz basics but at some point I realized that music is universal language spoken in many different ways… Learning and practicing music material from African, Indian, Latin or Balkan and flamenco music traditions helps me a lot… Especially learning and practicing Indian rhythmic language called konnakol and West African polyrhythms… Once something becomes a part of my musical awareness I try to implement it into my compositional and improvisational music language and expression.

4) Can you name one thing that you like about the metronome on Metronome Online?

It is very practical… A great tool accessible on gadgets that are always in our pockets nowadays… One can also find a lot of useful and practical information here.

VIDEO: Check out Igor’s visionary project of world musical styles united, called Pangea, showcasing musicians from all around the world in this first class jam!