Filling in the spaces

[jusaplaya]

My teacher gave me a new exercise this week. He has me playing the scales in between the clicks on the metronome. It is not as easy as it sounds. I tend to gravitate back towards the clicks. I have also been playing 16th note exercises by playing 4 notes between the clicks. Does anyone have any other exercises I can try to get my rhythm a little tighter?

[cassanova]

If Im reading you correctly, youre talking about playing the scale on the upbeat. So I'm thinking he has you doing the scales in 1/8 notes. Maybe quarter notes starting on the upbeat, Im a little unlcear. But nonetheless, if you are still gravitating back to the click, then you havent mastered the basics and need to stick with this before trying to progress forward. Just a point of view from MHO/IME.

[JimK]

I say most of us would naturally gravitate towards the Downbeat.
...breaking apart from what comes naturally takes time, effort, perseverance, concentration, good consistent practice habits, being open-minded enough to break barriers & expand one's horizons, etc.

Your teacher is trying to assist you in internalizing 'time' & feel the subdivisions. Good deal. It's may be tough, boring...sticking to it will pay off later.

[Nick Ioannucci]

1and2and3and4and...

[Poop-Loops]

Move your body to the beat. Either your foot up and down. Down on the downbeat obviously, so you can play on the upbeat. Or your whole body (headbanging!).

4 notes in between clicks? That's like a ummm... 5 version of a triplet, isn't it? Or do you mean 1 note on the click and 3 more afterwards?

[iplaybassguitar]

Originally Posted by Poop-Loops

Move your body to the beat. Either your foot up and down. Down on the downbeat obviously, so you can play on the upbeat. Or your whole body (headbanging!).

4 notes in between clicks? That's like a ummm... 5 version of a triplet, isn't it? Or do you mean 1 note on the click and 3 more afterwards?

im pretty sure that is what he means...playing 16th notes as the 'nome is playing quarters.

while your talking about playing on the upbeat, learn the stone song "miss you" its probably the hardest easy song on the face of this planet


play with a drummer, and i dont mean a drum machine...play with a real drummer, you know, the guy who sets his drink on your amp, he might be lugheaded and non musical, but it will certainly improve your groove.

[JimK]

Originally Posted by iplaybassguitar

. while your talking about playing on the upbeat, learn the stone song "miss you"

The verse to "Roxanne" (The Police)is another you can practice upbeats to.

[Nick Ioannucci]

Originally Posted by Poop-Loops

Move your body to the beat. Either your foot up and down. Down on the downbeat obviously, so you can play on the upbeat. Or your whole body (headbanging!).

4 notes in between clicks? That's like a ummm... 5 version of a triplet, isn't it? Or do you mean 1 note on the click and 3 more afterwards?

1 e and a 2 e and a 3 e and a 4 e and a....