Relating Sound & Time

Relating Sound & Time is a practical and philosophical guide to understanding rhythm-not as a mechanical skill, but as a living, breathing language. Drawing from African, Indian, and Western traditions, Jerry Leake distills decades of performance, study, and teaching into an accessible framework that empowers musicians, dancers, composers, and educators to deepen their relationship with time. Through clear explanations, detailed notation, and engaging exercises, Leake explores rhythm as both structure and expression: the pulse beneath the music, the cycle that shapes movement, the shared memory of a tradition. From foundational patterns to advanced cross-rhythms, readers learn to internalize timing through the body, voice, and instrument-building fluency that goes beyond counting. Whether unpacking the logic of tala in Indian classical music, the swing of African bell patterns, or the subtle elasticity of jazz phrasing, Relating Sound & Time bridges cultural approaches while honoring their depth and lineage. The book balances rigorous technical insight with a deep respect for rhythm's role in connection, communication, and creative flow. For anyone seeking to move beyond imitation toward true rhythmic understanding, this book offers a path: to listen more deeply, feel more fully, and create with precision and freedom.