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Timing issues

Bass Boy J

Bass Boy J

Mar 3, 2020
309
113
#1
Hi everyone.
I’ve been playing bass for close to three years now, and it seems no matter how many exercises I do with metronomes, drum machines, etc. I just can’t get my timing down, I’ve tried tapping my foot, moving my body to the beat of whatever song I’m playing, but just can’t my timing down. I was wondering if anyone has had this problem and has been able to fix it with some sort of exercise.
 
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#3
I’ve had this problem for almost 30 years :laugh::bawl::laugh::bawl: I think I have improved by playing along regularly with my BeatBuddy Mini 2 drum-machine-in-a-pedal—I find metronomes and click tracks distracting, even if I switch out the clicks for cowbells—but I feel like I’ll always be working at it. I wish I could tell you “one weird trick,” but I think it just takes a lot of focused practice.

The good news for you is that you’re taking notice while you’re still relatively new, rather than trying to overcome years of bad habits … like some of us ;)
 
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#5
Bass Boy J said:
...
but just can’t my timing down.
...
Click to expand...

That covers a multitude of sins - you might have to be a bit more specific. :) Is it, for example, general rushing or dragging, tempo fluctuation when string crossing or when rhythm changes. Or losing/gaining time when shifting? Or when changing right hand position, etc. Only then can specific sugestions for possible solutions or remedies be made
 
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#7
MrLenny1 said:
Good timing is challenging and a lot of work.
YouTube has play along tracks with drums.
Worth a try.
Click to expand...
Did you even take the time to read the O.P., or are you just responding to the thread title? He made clear in his post that he has been practicing with "metronomes, drum machines, etc."
 
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#8
Bass Boy J said:
Hi everyone.
I’ve been playing bass for close to three years now, and it seems no matter how many exercises I do with metronomes, drum machines, etc. I just can’t get my timing down, I’ve tried tapping my foot, moving my body to the beat of whatever song I’m playing, but just can’t my timing down. I was wondering if anyone has had this problem and has been able to fix it with some sort of exercise.
Click to expand...

I think that timing issues generally fall into two categories.

The first category is execution on thr instrument. You understand time and can feel it, but you can't execute it well on the instrument. Approaching this requires dedicatrd practice with the instrument to refine playing techniques.

The second category is internalizing and understanding time. You don't understand and you can't feel it. No amoint of instrument practice will help this case. To address this problem, you need to practice time without an instrument. Hand clapping is usually the simplest way to practice timr and rhythm sonce most people have the basic coordination to clap at specific times. If you can't clap a rhythm in time, you either don't understand the rhythm (or can't internalize it) or yoi have bad time.

If you have been doing metronome exercises with the bass, try doing them withojt the instrument. It may be eye-opening and can be informative. It can also be a chance to grow. Try clapping basic rhythms over a metronome pulse and record it; once you get better at that, the instrument can follow.
 
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#10
Lobster11 said:
Have you had the chance to play with an actual live drummer (ideally, in a band context)? I stopped practicing with a metronome or drum machine long ago because robotic beats just didn't inspire me. Give me a (good) drummer who cuts a deep groove, though, and falling into it is effortless.
Click to expand...
I like playing with both, but they are subtlety different skills in my opinion.
 
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#11
I've learned over time that time perception is extremely elastic. When we're excited our body secretes chemicals like adrenaline that alter our perception of time.

To be a good time keeper, one must be cognizant of one's perception of the passing of time. Performance anxiety or excitement can significantly impact this.

Key for me is meditation and mindfulness. You can take advantage of variations in time perception, but first you have to recognize them. I've always gotten jitters before and at the start of performances, but I've learned ways to cope and not have it negatively impact my playing.
 
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#12
Good timing is everything. When you think about it, all mistakes are timing mistakes.

"I was supposed to play a C at that time, but I played a G - a G is perfect in the next song, 3rd bar."

Practice makes perfect, and timing is a huge part of that. It takes longer (more time) than you think to get your timing down where it needs to be (less time error). Persistence is (as in many things in life) key to success.
 
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#18
Transcribing really helped my sense of rhythm. That starts with knowing where the one is. Then determining the time signature. Then whether it’s straight, swing 8ths, or swing 16ths. For me, understanding the rhythm enough to write it down is as important and difficult as the pitches. I used to just fake it. Now at least I have a better understanding of what I’m trying to play.
 
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#19
Bass Boy J said:
Hi everyone.
I’ve been playing bass for close to three years now, and it seems no matter how many exercises I do with metronomes, drum machines, etc. I just can’t get my timing down, I’ve tried tapping my foot, moving my body to the beat of whatever song I’m playing, but just can’t my timing down. I was wondering if anyone has had this problem and has been able to fix it with some sort of exercise.
Click to expand...

I've been playing for over 50 years. Timing has always been a battle for for me. it's not bad enough not to find work, but when I record, stuff pops up. hope you get it worked out.
 
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#20
One fun exercise my teacher taught me years ago was to put the metronome (or drum machine) on 60 and clap along.
If your timing is a little off, you can hear your clap and the metronome, but if your clap is perfectly on beat, the metronome magically disappears.
Try it.
Its fun.
Once you get it, you can try to “keep score” by counting how many perfect claps you can do in a row.
If you can get up to 10 in a row, your timing is pretty much good to go.
 
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