speeding up

**billkilpatrick** · Jan-31-2009, 1:09pm

something i noticed from posting videos to youtube is that i speed up the tempo of whatever i'm playing as i go along. i usually beat time with my foot and that helps - but not always.

anyone have any advice on how to keep a steady beat throughout?

regards - bill

**Skip Kelley** · Jan-31-2009, 1:26pm

Bill, Slow the song down and practice along with a metronome. Gradually speed it up staying in time. Hope this helps.

**Shawn Gambrel** · Jan-31-2009, 2:10pm

I have the same problem i either get to fast or slow.

**TomTyrrell** · Jan-31-2009, 3:09pm

Play faster! If you are still speeding up then PLAY FASTER!

Or maybe use a metronome, they make little ones that fit in your ear so nobody knows.

**Randi Gormley** · Jan-31-2009, 3:10pm

I'd also suggest a metronome -- but you might find this interesting. My daughter's harp teacher said that people unconsciously play along with their heart beats. Which i guess is why you play faster when you are nervous. She said that was why kids' idea of playing slowly is faster than an adult's idea of playing slowly.

**Mike Bunting** · Jan-31-2009, 4:18pm

If you practice daily with a metronome, you will internalize the sense of time. It is learned behaviour after all. As an aside, Chris Thile never practices w/o a metronome.

**chordbanger** · Jan-31-2009, 4:33pm

I also have that problem. I practice with a metronome, or when my clothes are washing..my washer keeps a perfect beat. I never want to sound like I am in a hurry to get to the end of the song, so I have to break the bad habit of speeding up.