Toy for a Grown-up / Rhythm Indicator
This electronic device is —– I may say, Rhythm-Indicator !
When I was a Disco-King (you believe or not 😀 ) often people (other keen dancer) asked
me a question about the way I dance, which is completely free movement hence virtually
no pattern still exactly follow and synchronizing with the Rhythm —– I needed to explain
what the Rhythm is.
Since I’ve been almost a fixture of the club, I also made enormous observation of the
people’s dance movement. Among the many funny discovery, the most interesting
phenomenon was, that some of the people dance with the song, not with rhythm beat,
therefore it looks odd and off the rhythm still, the person was not aware of it but
pretty much enjoying the dance (in fact nothing wrong with it ! )
And another discovery was that the Spanish moves a moment later than the beat. (It is
common with the Flamenco Dance, the movement occur not at the tense moment of the
beat, but the moment when its highest tension collapsed ! ! ! )
[]
Anyhow, to talk about the Rhythm in the noisiest environment, it’s easier to show it visual.
So, I made this Rhythm-Indicator (but only for a Rock beat) which shows the emphasis of
the 8 beat in red, amber, green, small green LEDs. And I explained, the movement what
the Rhythm demands, not what I want to move. = So, the movement was the exact reflection
of the music in each moment, not a pattern in fashion (such as in a film) or choreographed
planed movement. —– Funny things even among the keen dancer was, that they dance
what they want = regardless the different music, still repeat the same movement !
(= What is the point to have different music. 😀 )
My indicator shows 8 beat, strong, weak so on, and having BPM (speed) controller, and a
Selector for x2 and ½ speed. The Reset button was to synchronize with rhythm cycle. —– so,
in operation, reset to the first base drum, and adjust the speed to match the music =
Red LED to come coincided with every base drum of following cycle.
Voila’ the rhythm of the music was visually indicated.
—– To put the circuit and the batteries in a thin cosmetic case, I needed to curve the inside
to make a bit more space. (It was long before SMD components or Lithium battery.)
[]
Though, even in the same music, same song, the speed is not constant and the pattern and the
use of percussion is changing. (that’s the way to make a music more dynamic and exciting).
—– So, inevitably, I had to design more elaborated system such as automatically pick-up the
base drum and synchronize the LED to the Rhythm cycle.
But instead to develop Rhythm-Indicator Mk-II, I changed the direction to design the
Sound-reactive Disco Pendant. = It was a by-product of the Base Drum synchronizing circuit.
—– I’ll show you those Sound-reactive LED Pendant in the coming posts.
[]
Yoshizen's Blog 
Interesting, but I don’t think I will ever manage to have an intellectual approach to dancing. Best wishes from a dancing queen. 😉
On contrary, Zen Buddhism (and my Dancing as well) is standing on the total denial of the intellectual element.
As I wrote in the post [Most Bizarre Story —] (link on the second line) the ultimate movement only came under
the total unconscious involuntary movement, though, to acquire this state of mind and the body, it is necessary
to have a practice to customize the subconscious first. (This is the fundamental paradox in the Buddhism —–
awareness lead to the enlightenment though, enlightenment itself is the denial of awareness).
You are man of infinite talents, Yoshizen. : )
Thank you Karen.
Though, it may not be a talent but a patience to pursuit,
because the idea itself was rather simple.
Yoshi, your invention could enhance the joy in musical vibration for those who are deaf as well.
It’s a good idea Elena !
I never thought about — visual conversion such as to a lighting effects, or video-projection
which may represents the music is common in the club, still, a personal device which gives
the physical vibration would be a pleasurable alternative.