Michael K,

In the tv show they are mostly referring to classical music, where there is a conductor regulating the whole show. It can also refer to a band which has worked out a way of playing a piece which works for them and everyone knows that it will happen in certain way because they have specifically rehearsed it that way - no surprises for anyone particpating.

As I said, this doesn't work for impromptu sessions or bands if everyone isn't in agreement *and committed to* stretching the timing in a specified way. This might happen if there is a really charismatic performer, someone who everyone watches and listens to, even while playing themselves.

When my sister and I play music together - she plays flute and I accompany her on the Celtic harp - she usually leads and I do my best to fit in with her interpretation of the music. In the majority of pieces the timing is regular, with no self-imposed stretching, pausing, etc, but in some tunes, e.g. Carrickfergus, I just go with her timing because it suits being stretched and compressed in an expressive way.

If I listen to the radio at all it is usually the alternative rock/modern station here in Oz, called Triple-J. There are often techno or dance music pieces being aired, and the majority of these use a drum machine or other artificially produced rhythm patterns. The timing is strict and regulated, and I find it very difficult to listen to most of these pieces of music because that special something injected in via human expression has been cauterised out of it.

There are other techno-based musicians who seem to understand that the mechanical music production tools have to follow human expression and not vice versa. The percussionists-turned-techno-composers who make up the group Leftfield, are an excellent example of this.

All of this is my opinion only, and I'm not trying to start a fight here. It comes down to personal taste in music. The tv show just helped me to see how music works for humans.

Helen