rhythm (and blues)

[leftiebass]

Hello unseen advisors.
I jammed recently with some other musicians and it did not go well. I felt out of sync with them. I came home and started recording myself and listening. I was surprised to hear that my timing sounded bad. I have been used to playing along with cds and I thought that it sounded fine. wrong. How can I get my rhythm and timing down? I have to get this down before I can move on. thanks for any input.

[LilRay]

Drum machine or a metronome. Start there.

God Bless, Ray

[copreus]

Hey, leftiebass:
Welcome to TalkBass.
Drum machine is a good idea. You can program, say a 4/4 pattern, and then set the machine to drop out of the pattern except for one beat per measure on different beats to test your ability to maintain accuracy to come in on time without the aid of a constant rhythm. Just keep practicing and practice tempos and rhythms you feel uncomfortable with to expand your sense of groove. It will add to your arsenal down the road. Practice bass lines without the bass when you're out listening to your iPod, etc -- keep those fingers tapping. And keep recording yourself when you can. Nothing like hearing yourself on tape to rip the mask off, as you have found out. Don't be afraid to count to yourself in complex passages. Tap your foot or bob your head; rhythm is felt. You have to feel it to make the audience feel it.
Search for similar questions on TalkBass for more info.
Have fun.
--c.

[Billnc]

Keep in mind, while playing to cd's there is a safety net, the music is constant. Live you are playing off of the drummer and the drummer off of you. This can be disconcerting at first. I'm counting the whole time, this becomes as unconscious as walking down the street after a while.While listening to music, count, tap and listen to the different drums the whole track, one time listen to the kick, the next the snare, the ride then the hihat. If you can clap in time, time is not the issue! It's coordinating your body to the bass. I'm always moving while playing, you're not going to jump time if you're tapping your foot.

When you can play a bassline to the cd, turn the cd off. Play the entire tune on your own, without a gnome. You'll be suprised. Make it groove. Then play with the gnome. Chances are if the time is slipping, you're thinking about other things, like nailing a passage, remembering a section etc.

[fearceol]

Here is a link to a great exercise to do with a metronome.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wiV5iFPfIs

[mambo4]

Good "time" is actually two disciplines: accurate tempo and rhythmic feel.

Drum machines and CDs are good to practice to, but they a filled with helpful crutches to keep you on track. To learn the discipline of accurate tempo, you really are better off with a metronome. the less crutches you use, the better you walk, so to speak.

This is as opposed to learning timing as in rhythmic feel , which comes from experience and familiarity with the style and good ears. This is also where CDs and drum machines will be more helpful.

but you gotta work on both for good time.

[Chris K]

Originally Posted by mambo4

Drum machines and CDs are good to practice to, but they a filled with helpful crutches to keep you on track. To learn the discipline of accurate tempo, you really are better off with a metronome. the less crutches you use, the better you walk, so to speak.

IMO the best post on this problem so far. Playalongs and drum machines teach you ...ehhhm... to play along. In a band you are not supposed to play along. There you need to define a groove, together with drums, percussion, whatever.

Metronome is good, especially if you reduce the number of beats by half each time. In a 4/4 bar, start with 8 eights, then 4 quarter notes, then 2 half notes, and finally 1 whole note per bar.

And go back to that band!! To find the balance in a rhythm section, to learn to find each other automatically, takes much time... Maybe your drummer felt the same after your rehearsal. And he might need some metronome exercises as well...

[Stumbo]

Here are some links you may want to check out. I suggest you create some backing tracking w/o the bass in them and finish up your learning session with playing along with something like that.

Also, play your bass lines with a metronome and record it. If you set it for each beat at first, then set it for the "1" and see if you can keep time.

Maybe the drummer has timing problems. See if you can jam with other drummers some where along the way.




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