ways to improve timing

sadfan82 · #1 12-27-2007, 11:49 PM

Hello
I have been playing bass for about 4 years now and had lessons since I started. One thing I'm having difficulties with is improving my timing. It's not bad by any means, but it's not great either. Everyone says "PRACTICE WITH A MET" but when I'm playing I don't notice when I'm not totally locked in at times, I can only tell when I hear recordings of myself so I'm not sure how practicing with a met would help when I don't realize what I'm doing. What do you guy recommend doing to improving timing?

the_fooj · #2 12-28-2007, 12:04 AM

Well if you're noticing you having trouble when you have the metronome, then slow it down until you're rock solid and then bit by bit speed it up. You also said you noticed your timing issues on recordings. Recording yourself is one of the best things you can do to figure out your flaws (even is that's not the intent of the recording). Learning to play to a click or locking in with a drum track and then listening to it will do wonders.

Hawaii Islander · #3 12-28-2007, 12:07 AM

I started using my metronome thats built into my Line6 GearBox software. Its cool because I can easily change tempo and the types of beats and their combos (kick drum, toms, snare, high hat, etc), which helps to vary what I'm playing with. My Riffworks recording software also has a drum machine/metronome so I can record what I play with the metronome and get immediate feedback on my timing. This is all done through my computer.

Agilulfo · #4 12-28-2007, 07:42 AM

Question: what do you listen for when you are playing with a drummer?

Dbassmon · #5 12-28-2007, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agilulfo

Question: what do you listen for when you are playing with a drummer?

Agilulfo is asking the right question and to take it a little further, when you practice with a metronome or drummer, or any other musician, you should be listening to the entire musical landscape. If you are not locking in to your environment, then you are playing in a vacuum, the fact that others may be playing or a metronome may be clicking time may as well not be happening if you are not intamently aware and involved with that.

You need to practice listening before you address your desire to improve your time. IMO

Snerek · #6 12-28-2007, 08:19 AM

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ter?sku=483713

fender b dec

bassbully · #7 12-28-2007, 08:49 AM

A good drummer.

kesslari · #8 12-28-2007, 08:56 AM

An old trick...
Record a metronome track at a slow tempo (like 60 BPM). while you're recording, mute the metronome for a bar (so there's 4 beats of silence) then cut it back in. Do that a few times so there are a few "empty" bars. Practice keeping time during the empty bars so that you are still on the click when the metronome drops back in.
When you get really brave, make the empty spaces 2 bars long.

The nice thing about this is you can work it off the bass (because timing is a *you* issue, not a *bass* issue). Pop the tape in the car and work on it on your drive, or etc etc

WRBass · #9 12-28-2007, 09:12 AM

I have another idea and I'm working with it now to see if it will help my timing. I just bought a Boss Loop Station RC-2. It has 33 built-in drum patterns (guides). And of course, it can record up to 16 minutes. So, while you are practicing, you can use it like a metronome and a recording device, all using your bass amp and speaker. So, by just tapping the device with your foot, you can practice a line, record it, and play it back.

Marcury · #10 12-29-2007, 10:54 AM

You can set the at half the speed you want to practice,so for example if you want to practice at 60bpm, set the metronome on 30 and use the metronome clicks as two and four. This accomplishes a few things, it really makes you pay attention because you have to make one and three happen, it mimics the backbeat and onec you lock in it really helps to improve your swing feel.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agilulfo

Question: what do you listen for when you are playing with a drummer?

Listen to the bass drum pattern and try at first to lock in with it playing the same accents. The only problem with this is over the years I've encountered a lot of drummers whose foot is weak and only play strait four or on one and three which doesn't give you much to work with. Once your comfortable with that you can start to play around their bass drum hitting some accents and playing in the spaces or not playing at all on some. After that listen to their cymbal work and runs and see what they offer for alternate places to sync up.

click on two and four. So that when you play one and three there is silen

SpectorBass308 · #11 12-29-2007, 11:05 AM

You might have to see a doctor about this. Do you usually find yourself ahead of the beat or behind the beat?

dreadheadbass · #12 12-29-2007, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassbully

A good drummer.

drummers can play in time?!! when did this happen???

bassbully · #13 12-29-2007, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deek

Haha, when headphones & clicktracks came along I'd imagine.

I said ...good..... there are a few.

jamesblue · #14 12-30-2007, 12:06 PM

If you playing with other musicians it's a give and take, some guys have better timing than others. As the bass player I've found myself pulling the others to my groove/feel. If a drummer is off or players don't gel the music will suffer.

**Blackbird** · #15 12-30-2007, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sadfan82

What do you guy recommend doing to improving timing?

Counting out loud when practicing and counting internally when performing is usually the best way.

chicagodoubler · #16 12-30-2007, 01:02 PM

Wow I sound like a broken record.

The old school guys developed their skills by playing with good players, transcribing, and playing along with recordings.

And those cats (need I name them, really?) would school 98% of the guys today with all the toys and gizmos. For real- people used analog metronomes for centuries with no complaints!

If your time ain't happening, there's very few purchases that will improve it.

Make sure you are *actively* listening to music. Can you count 1,2,3,4 when listening to pop music? Can you identify the snare, and beats 3,4?

geoffkhan · #17 01-01-2008, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kesslari

An old trick...
Record a metronome track at a slow tempo (like 60 BPM). while you're recording, mute the metronome for a bar (so there's 4 beats of silence) then cut it back in. Do that a few times so there are a few "empty" bars. Practice keeping time during the empty bars so that you are still on the click when the metronome drops back in.
When you get really brave, make the empty spaces 2 bars long.

The nice thing about this is you can work it off the bass (because timing is a *you* issue, not a *bass* issue). Pop the tape in the car and work on it on your drive, or etc etc

This is one of the best tricks out there I know of.

Also, don't try to intellectualize the beat, try to feel it. It really works, and lets you groove in the big picture rather than trying to "line up" every note individually in rhythm.

canshaker · #18 01-01-2008, 08:45 PM

Learn to play drums!

What I mean is...
By learning how to play at least basic beats on the drums, you learn to have a better feel for the rhythmic pulse of a song.

ehh, worked for me...

jimbob · #19 01-01-2008, 08:58 PM

I find not counting along as I play my meter will drift. Record yourself and listen critically to what you are doing. Sometimes a drum-fill or guitar lick can throw you/break concentration. Active listening was mentioned earlier and that is vital as well.

SUBHARMONICZERO · #20 01-01-2008, 09:13 PM

Every night turn on the metronome and fall asleep listening to it, count the clicky sheeps and the ones in between!