Why is it hard to keep rhythm when playing alone?

[Whousedtoplay]

Well, that's a difficult question. Mainly because it depends on an individual. Some guys absorb the timing and can keep it without a metronome (Gregory Hutchinson for example), while some never get it.

As I said, you have to fine your own routine of practicing this. There really is no universal way of doing it.

Anyways, thanks for the understanding

Here is what I know(!) for sure.
We both are talking about the same thing(!!!), just, somehow, getting emotional about "what synonym to use".
Nothing else.

As you said, some people have more "rhythm/groove" gift, some people have less of it.
Some people have beautiful voices, some people don't.
You are a teacher - I'm not a teacher, just some experience in the bass guitar field.
In my opinion, the beginner bass player should spend more time with the metronome while learning the "ropes", transcriptions, etc...
The more advanced bass player, usually, spends less time with the metronome and more time on "exploring/creating" something new.

As I've mentioned numerous times, it's all about being comfortable while recording, playing, rehearsing with the band,
etc... - that's where all those verbose and emotional discussions about the metronome used to end!
It's all about the musician's/bass player's ability to get the required Mood, Character, Attitude, Groove, Swing, Micro-timing, Micro-feeling, etc... across while recording, playing, rehearsing with the band, etc...

In short.
I recommend using the metronome - more time, less time, I don't care, but...
I am aghast(!) at the "anti-metronome" ideology. And I don't care if that ideology is promoted by superb musicians or by millions of musicians.

George Duke - Reach for it.

 

[Sparkl]

Here is what I know(!) for sure.
We both are talking about the same thing(!!!), just, somehow, getting emotional about "what synonym to use".
Nothing else.

As you said, some people have more "rhythm/groove" gift, some people have less of it.
Some people have beautiful voices, some people don't.
You are a teacher - I'm not a teacher, just some experience in the bass guitar field.
In my opinion, the beginner bass player should spend more time with the metronome while learning the "ropes", transcriptions, etc...
The more advanced bass player, usually, spends less time with the metronome and more time on "exploring/creating" something new.

As I've mentioned numerous times, it's all about being comfortable while recording, playing, rehearsing with the band,
etc... - that's where all those verbose and emotional discussions about the metronome used to end!
It's all about the musician's/bass player's ability to get the required Mood, Character, Attitude, Groove, Swing, Micro-timing, Micro-feeling, etc... across while recording, playing, rehearsing with the band, etc...

In short.
I recommend using the metronome - more time, less time, I don't care, but...
I am aghast(!) at the "anti-metronome" ideology. And I don't care if that ideology is promoted by superb musicians or by millions of musicians.

George Duke - Reach for it.

Haha we are talking exactly about the same thing.

I agree with everything you wrote right here. There is really nothing to add here. And this is exactly what I meant by "reducing the use and relying purely on metronome in the long term as a professional musician of tomorrow"

It's all about balancing.

One thing I may add as the last thing is that it really depends on what type of a musician you are. If you have one band or one serious band you might not care about all this at all. Just get your groove right and that's it.

What I'm talking about is a professional musician (session musician) that has to play in many bands and has to be able to adapt quickly. I am this type of musician myself (let's just say that rnb, soul, jazz, funk and rock music doesn't really pay for itself here in europe) and believe me you don't have time to deal with the metronome problem, especially when you receive a 50+ song setlist the day before the gig. You need to have your rhythm checked. So that's one thing I definately forgot to mention.

 

[DirkP]

What kind of problem do I have? A girl friend of mine once listened to me playing. I was playing along with a Marvin Gaye tune with Jamerson on bass. She is kind of a natural musical genius and she told me: You're too fast (others just tell me how good I am and that I sound like a pro...). But she is right.

It's not that I can't hold a beat or play steady. It's more like a psychological issue: If a tune requires fast playing and is technical sophisticated, I kind of try to accomplish all the notes before the next First beat comes, to make sure I use the time I have to play all the notes I have to play. Mother, I even managed to get ready before the next First Beat came!

Can other players relate to this?
If one is listening closely to players like Jamerson he always sounds kind of relaxed and cool, even if he plays very fast. Like he has all the time in the world to play the next note. I sound like I am in a hurry. And then I stop and wonder what I should do with the extra time....
(written in self-critical mode, I hope it's not THAT bad. I could even sell it as my personal nervous style).