[JMJKD]

Martial Arts…(fighting) as approached from ( self perfection) the artsy learning aspect is no more then tone, beats, space, and time. Music!!! One might think this is a stretch, but it really is the same. Music is broken down into time and measured in beats. Example 4/4 time (a time signature) is 4 beats per measure and a quarter note gets one beat. The space between beats is broken down evenly into 25% value. How fast the measurement depends on the conductor or the tempo set on a metronome. ( a music clock so to speak.)
The silence between the beats is called a rest.

Martial Arts is based on striking, when scoring a hit this is a beat. In between the hits would be considered a rest. The distance and speed a strike has to travel will determine the timing. When the action is really moving fast it would be considered a quick tempo and visa/versa. Strikes can be performed in broken rhythm or in different patterns such as a rhythm of three or a triplet. Two strikes may be performed in the same time value as one and would be considered as 8th notes, doubled to 16th, 32nd and 64th, all in the same time signature.

If a hit is performed to a thick part of the body (thigh) you will hear a low thud or a base tone, whereas if you slap a face you will hear a more high pitch tone.

Many people feel that they have a problem with coordination, but really they just can’t hear the music of their own body.

Martial Arts is understanding your own music within, and then applying it externally.

It is simple to see what I mean by watching a striker because you can hear the hits, but what about a wrestler where the beats are not so pronounced, is the music still there? The music is always there, time never stops. Great Jazz musicians such as Ornett Coleman, John Coltrane and Thelonious Monk have shown, what you hear is there and what you don’t hear is still there.

Integrating Music and Martial Arts is what I call Avant-garde or my JKD. Anyone who wants to learn Martial Arts whether they realize it or not will be composing there own song.

[mscureman]

Joe, I think that is probably the best "analogy" I could have wrapped my head around with regard to martial arts. I've always kind of held back from learning it because I thought of it more as a dance, and I'm not a very good dancer. I am, however, a fair to midline drummer, so thinking of strikes in different areas and different timing as if beats on different drums (of a drum set) and different rythms completely makes it make more sense. Except, of course, that none of my drums ever hit me back...that might make it a little more interesting.

[Camdor]

Joe, that was brilliant!

I never thought of it that way but you're totally correct!

I play bass and percussion and, thinking on it now, I don't know why I missed it.

They both depend on proper timing and rhythm. There are numerous similarities as you pointed out.

Impressive indeed

[Baldninja]

As someone who is into martial arts, I often take knowledge like this for granted, having studied and knowing of the direct links between martial arts and music.

In many historical cultures the "peasants" weren't allowed to practice martial arts, so the folks preserved these arts through what appeared to be traditional tribal dances, when in reality, upon a closer look, their "dancing" was little more than their arts put to music, so they could practice in open view without facing ramifications for having broken "laws" pertaining to them not being able to technically do so.

[Rob]

Interestingly enough, in Japan, at the end of WWII Judo was banned but Karate was thought to be a dance (Kata?) and it's practice was allowed.
Best,
Rob

[areth]

Great analogy. I play the trumpet, haven't played much this year but will try to keep playing soon.

Martial arts really isn't my strong suit, but it does make it easier to think of.

[JMJKD]

Martial Arts, what I do anyway makes it easy to communicate with common folk because I relate (JKD) to everyday life. This integration just so happened to use principles from music to help us better understand timing, beats and rhythm. It all connects.

[JMJKD]

mscureman, drummer? what do you have for a kit?

camder, who do you like for bass players?

areth, R U into miles?

You guys a right about hiding the arts in dance, also think about all the motivation and inspiration music brings to working out , just good stuff all around.

[Camdor]

Stanley Clarke, Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller, Anthony Wellington, Geddy Lee, Steve Harris, Flea.

Pretty much in that order.

Drummers:

Neil Peart, Mike Portnoy, Buddy Rich, Tommy Aldridge, Sheila E., Tito Puente, and believe it or not, Prince.

[JMJKD]

Drummers,Tony Williams. Elvin Jones, Jack Dejohnette, Billy Cobham, Stuart Copeland, Mike Mangini.

Bass, Ron Carter, Jaco Pastorius, Stanly Clark,