Can We Learn to Hear Multi-metrically?

Abstract

While certain strands of music-cogition studies suggest that we can only entrain to one metric stratum at a time, I contend that not only can we entrain to two or simultaneously, but that certain musicking practices (particularly from African and the African diaspora) require that one do so. This essay explores some scaffolded introductory activities for learning to do so through stepping, clapping, and singing.