Time
In its historic form, klezmer was live music designed to facilitate dancing. Hence, musicians adjusted the tempo as dancers tired or better dancers joined in. Vocal songs could drag to a near-halt during a particularly sad part, picking up slowly, and eventually bursting into happy song once more. (This is a feature of many Rom and Russian folk songs as well.)
Like other musicians of their time, and many modern Jazz performers, early klezmorim did not rigidly follow the beat. Often they slightly led or trailed it, giving a lilting sound.
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