My Top 5 Timing Exercises

[Hestan]

Hi guys,

I've done a video and article on my Top 5 Timing Exercises on my site.

http://www.johnnycopland.com/?p=671

They're inspired by various ones i've picked up over the years from Carol Kaye, Victor Wooten, others or adapted myself etc...

Would be interested to hear of any other ones that pros or students have used to good effect.

peace,

Johnny

[stratovani]

I just viewed your video, and they seem to be very good exercises.
Just a couple of questions. I noticed you were hitting a pillow with drumsticks, then all of a sudden they started sounding like a drum kit! How did you do that? Magic?

But seriously now, another question. I like your Elastic Time exercise, I have a bit of trouble playing behind or ahead of the beat. But the tempo you play at is a bit too fast for me. Would you recommend a slower tempo for this exercise?

Good exercises. Sorry for being a bit of a wise guy, but I just couldn't resist!

[Hestan]

hey stratovani,

Yeah. If you can't manage it at the video tempo, then for sure, try it at 50/40 bpm...

If you've got something to record (like Logic, cubase) that's great too as you can get a 'visual' of whether you're ahead or behind to begin with, though eventually you want to be able to just feel it.

It takes a while to get comfortable with playing on different parts of the beat but it's well worth the effort.

peace,

J