Improving my tim # ing

[Brad Weiss]

I am looking for ways to really nail my timing. I am mostly interested in playing jazz, but not adverse to other genres. I am taking lessons, and my teacher is trying to get my foot to provide a steady undercurrent, so that I can feel the pulses, and so know where to place the notes as counted. I know how to count different time signatures (1 e and uh 2 e and uh, for 16ths in 2/4 etc.) and I'm working on reading. I just can't quite master following the downbeat over complicated measures, and my foot ends up speeding up, or just randomly tapping. #In general my rhythmic sense is ok- I almost alway practice with a metronome, try to go slow before going fast, etc. #But I'm having a bear of a time mastering this skill.

Any and all suggestions welcome.

[doanepoole]

Play along with CDs of bands with great timing.

[Tom C]

Go to co-mando.com , download the tabledit viewer and the zip files that have hunreds and hundred of tunes. You control speed, and have only rhythm playing so you can play melody ....etc

[mandofiddle]

We've been using a device called "Dr. Rhythm" at our rehearsals lately. Basically it's just a drum machine type thing. Since our material is in the bluegrass/newgrass genre, we have it set to do the "boom-chick boom-chick" rhythm, but it has other settings I think. We'll use it as we go through a song a few times, and then play the song a few times without it. Last night we started our rehearsal by doing a tune without it a few times, and then we and then went through the tune a few times with it, and the difference was amazing. After we used it and then played the song again without it, it was apparent that it helped a LOT. We're planning to use the Dr. at all our rehearsals now, at least a little. In my opinion, you can't improve timing too much.

[Michael H Geimer]

I've played with metronomes for years, and we even used a click track in the rehearsal studio for years on end ... my sense of timing was great, but my actual timing was still struggling.

It wasn't until I made the effort to learn how to play and sing at the same time, that I really found my footing. I still have issues , but my overall timing is considerably better. Perhaps until that point, I was unconciously allowing something outside to define the meter, when in fact it really needed to come from within.

A fellow player recently offered his opinion to me that clapping while singing is the true core skill. I think I agree.

- Benig

[twaaang]

In written music (or even tab) I've found that some syncopated measures are completely baffling because of the note-value choices, and I'll have to rewrite the passage using different note-values. For a very simplified example, a full measure of 4/4 time that the composer has shown as eighth-quarter-quarter-quarter-eighth: I find this a lot easier to deal with if I rewrite it all in eighth-notes, the quarters all replaced by tied eighths. When I'm done, I can at least see a note that falls on the beat, even if it is the second "half" of tied eighths. With this for a start, I feel like I understand the phrase better and can do a more sensible job deciding what the pick attack ought to be (at least in the middle of the measure, I know where I am). Works for me so far, though I suspect I'm about to hear how badly I'm stunting my own growth in the long run. -- PDW

[Pete Martin]

Play with a metronome VERY SLOWLY, say 40 BPM on tunes that normally go over 100 BPM. The longer time between each note forces you to be more accurate in where exaclty you place the note in time. Do this on all levels of tunes, easy, intermediate and more difficult. Do it regularly and you'll notice a big difference in your timing, and your execution will improve as well.

[mandofiddle]

Definitely Benignus. If you can't sing and play in time, then you'll never get it, even with the help of the metronome. What is it they say though, knowing is half the battle? If you know what you need to work on...

[Jeff_Stallard]

I used to play the drums, and brother THAT will greatly improve your timing. Of course, I wouldn't expect you to buy drums, but what you could do is tap away on anything around you. I find myself tapping away while I drive. Next time you're listening to music, try tapping out a rhythm as if you're actually playing drums. Having to coordinate three patterns (both hands and one foot) will really give you a good sense of timing.

And remember...it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!