The Standard Pattern, the most widespread sub-Saharan bell timeline, is E(7,12) started on its third onset and matches the major-scale pitch pattern

E(7,12) = (2122122). Started on its third onset it becomes [x.x.xx.x.x.x], which Toussaint identifies as the most important rhythm in sub-Saharan Africa — the timeline master drummer Desmond Tai called the ‘Standard Pattern’ and Agawu the ‘African Signature Tune’. It is the bell pattern of the Agbekor and Agbadza dances of Ghana, spreads across Ewe and Yoruba music, and reappears throughout the Caribbean and Cuba (the Bata bell patterns). The striking structural fact: this rhythm is the SAME pattern as the pitch pattern of the major diatonic scale — the seven onsets fall on the same positions as the seven notes of the major scale within twelve semitones. This is a concrete instance of a deep rhythm–pitch isomorphism and the single most internationally known African timeline.

Examples

E(7,12)=(2122122) started on the third onset = [x.x.xx.x.x.x]. Overlay the C-major scale on 12 chromatic steps (W-W-H-W-W-W-H) and the same twelve positions light up.

Assessment

Write out E(7,12) started on its third onset in box notation and show that its onset positions coincide with the major scale’s semitone positions. Name two Ghanaian dances that use it as their bell timeline.