Timing issues

[SteveCS]

This is valid, but it assumes that there is a specific issue that needs to be addressed. Someone who naturally has ok time but races fills or adlibs, or drags dynamic changes or certain techniques is going to notice that when using a metronome. Some people just have an issue with basic time, which I assumed the OP was talking about because they mentioned using a metronome and it not helping...and in those situations, just more metronome, not on every beat, awaken the inner timecode.

My experience is that all aspects of musicianship and technique can be broken down into smaller elements that can be isolated and rationalised for the purposes of technical improvement. Timing in particular is one of the more complex aspects - co-ordinating finger speed, position and angles with hand position, string tension and length, dynamics and other elements of articulation is highly complex. Just bashing stuff out to a metronome without purpose is not always the most effective approach. If you play with a pick and your timing goes adrift when playing off-beat upstrokes whilst shifting, practicing downstrokes in straight quarters in position won't help the situation!

But, as always, YMMV

 

[salmon256]

As dumb as this sounds, this has helped me a ton and I struggle with timing a ton, so bad I tried to focus on a drum practice pad for awhile and it helped me a lot, anyway just staying calm and breathing. I know it sounds odd but really stay calm and do not feel bad and relax. I have some bad anxiety and worry so maybe that's why but it's OK, everyone I mean everyone struggles with this and I feel it's something people pretend you just get. I also agree with getting a teacher, and finding the right one, it helps a lot. GL

 

[steveinohio]

Practice. Play. Try to be aware of it but don't let it steal your joy from playing. You absolutely will improve. Don't waste much time worrying about it. I fully believe timing and rhythm can be learned.

 

[mambo4]

The biggest improvement in my own sense of rhythm came from learning to read rhythms in standard notation. So my advice is to find notated rhythm exercises and a metronome. You don’t need a bass to practice , you can clap tap or vocalize any where anytime. My favorite approach is taking my exercise book to the treadmill at the gym.

 

[thunesBARROW]

Teachers can teach things with words and demonstrations. Timing is internal and cannot be conveyed with words or really 'taught'. It can certainly be developed with practice and the use of techniques. Teachers can teach techniques to develop timing (so can internet forums), but in the end, 'if you don't got it, you don't got it'.

Timing is math and can be taught. With dedicated work and conscious effort, it is entirely possible to develop better rhythm. “You got it or you don’t” is a harmful myth.

 

[bassdude51]

Stick with whole notes, half notes and quarter notes. Slower songs for now. Lock into the kick drum. Good luck.

 

[SubHuman]

I never used a metronome but could now if I wanted to. Use some recorded songs by favorite bands with simple bass lines and play along until you know the simple bass line inside out. Once you have mastered playing along with a simple tune up your game with more complex bass players.
Use a CD player (if you have one) so you can start and stop using pause.
I taught myself with records, 8 tracks and cassettes! and felt overwhelmed at 1st...now I can play along with some very complex songs by ear.
I played in bands (both copy and originals) and have recorded and enjoyed a lifetime of music.
Don't give up...the reward is worth it.

 

[Swipter]

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.

Play some rush. His stuff has some off beat stuff. Circumstances would be good.

 

[Hammertime3]

I haven't read all of this thread, but I'll say this..all the people I have known in my life who have, or had, timing issues, still have them. I strongly believe that, just like singing harmony, you either got it or you ain't. Just my humble opinion

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

I haven't read all of this thread, but I'll say this..all the people I have known in my life who have, or had, timing issues, still have them. I strongly believe that, just like singing harmony, you either got it or you ain't. Just my humble opinion

As someone who has NEVER been able to sing harmony reliably, I agree with that part of the statement, but I KNOW FOR A FACT my timing has improved since I first picked up a bass (of course, my ear has improved, also).

 

[thunesBARROW]

I haven't read all of this thread, but I'll say this..all the people I have known in my life who have, or had, timing issues, still have them. I strongly believe that, just like singing harmony, you either got it or you ain't. Just my humble opinion

I’m sorry but I feel this is just wrong. You can learn to sing better. You can learn to have better rhythm.

Like anything else, some people will have more natural ability then others, but that doesn’t mean you can’t improve upon what you’ve already got. There is no magical “it”. “It” is just hard practice and dedication.

 

[gumbynotpokey]

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.

One approach is the opposite. Never practice with a metronome or click. And always play with a live drummer. Have the drummer click in whatever tempo is right, and play. Over time (no pun intended) you will develop a feel for time and changes in tempo. And over time your ability to discern shifts will improve (you will be able to discern smaller shifts than earlier in your life). And over time you will learn to prevent and correct these issues more and more precisely with less variability than in previous years. What is amounts to is calibrating your self and holding that calibration constant. To the extent one relies on a click or metronome one limits the growth and development of that human capacity.

It's just a different way. YMMV. Carrots. And so forth. I'm not saying this is better or that I'm "right" or anything like that.

Peace.

 

[King Harvest]

There’s an app called Yousician that lets you play along to their library of songs with a bouncing ball. The visual representation might help. It also tells you if you are early or late even if you can’t hear it.

The upward path of progress has many plateaus. You can go for long stretches thinking you are not making any improvements, but they will come eventually if you are patient. The pinnacle is when you’ve internalized it and don’t have to consciously think about it anymore.

 

[mambo4]

“It” is just hard practice and dedication.

agreed. I can play in time. Once upon a time I couldn’t. Do I have “it” or not?

 

[MrLenny1]

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."

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."

Yes I did read it and my suggestion is similar to yours. The YouTube tracks are real drummers and not dry machines.

 

[dinobass]

Definitely record yourself playing along with a metronome to figure out if you're usually more ahead of the click or behind it. If you're ahead of the click, play along again and record yourself but this time try really hard to play behind the beat. At some point, what will feel to you like playing behind the beat will be right on the click when you listen back to the recording. Now you know what it FEELS like to play on the beat. Over time you won't have to feel like you're playing behind the beat, it will just become natural.

I still record myself all the time as even after 40+ years of playing bass what I'm "feeling" when I play certain figures or parts isn't always what I'm actually playing, but it's easy to recalibrate my feel.

 

[Tommy Sparks]

I second that comment about playing with a live drummer.
Also l enjoy playing along with recorded tracks. Records, CDs and radio is what it go for. Sometimes tracks of my band.
A metronome or drum machine
just doesn’t work for me, boring as you get.

 

[Spidey2112]

Good timing is everything.

Better believe it.

 

[DwaynieAD]

Sounds like you're being reactive rather than feeling the music. I'd say play songs and feel them. Either said than done.

 

[soulstew]

Enough good ideas already here to keep you busy for awhile. Without any specifics about where and when you fall out of time, it's hard to know what advice will be the most helpful.

The comments about locking in on the kick and snare, and paying attention to subdivisions are right on. I would add to also lock in on the cymbal/hi-hat for ghost notes and pickups, fills and other non-1 and 3 beat notes.

A lot of intermediate players I hear do great on the one and three, but get into trouble on the things in between--fills and walkups/walkdowns. They either rush or drag the notes in the fills and don't land exactly on the one coming out of them, upsetting the groove and momentum, or they DO land on the one, but the notes in between are fudgy because their technique is a bit sloppy so they don't hit the eight or sixteenth notes right on. They rush the easy movements so they have time to get through the harder ones and still land on the one. The result might an okay groove, but sounds a bit sloppy/amateurish--at least to other bass players