Thanks Herb
timing
I'm having a heck of a time getting my timing down. I suppose it just takes a lot guitar playing to get, but can someone tell me if there's a way I make it come a little faster. I've mostly done bedroom playing and I heard that's bad for timing unless its with a metro-nome. But I'm really getting frusterated with it. So if you know something you think I need to know please tell me, except give up that's not an option.
Thanks Herb
Thanks Herb
# 1
I think the best ways to get timing down are to practice along with actual songs as well as getting a drum machine.
I know that over the years my timing has improved tremendously since I started using drum machines. I can remember listening to early bands in the 70's and 80's and thinking how great they were. Then listening to the same bands 20 years later and wondering why I never noticed how bad the timing was on some of the songs.
After so many years of using them now, I can instantly tell when the timing is even just a tiny bit off. Even the slight lag caused by excess midi information in software is noticeable now, when I would never have even been aware of it back then.
Another advantage of using a drum machine is that you can program in different styles and beats. With a metronome you're keeping beat to a 4/4 click, but you can't really get into the backbeat or change your strumming pattern that much.
Other alternatives to drum machines would be using some kind of recording software to play midi files. Then you could also practice along with music as well.
Another alternative is to use loops. For instance, the Jam tool on Guitar Tricks is an excellent way to practice timing as well as learning scales etc.
I know that over the years my timing has improved tremendously since I started using drum machines. I can remember listening to early bands in the 70's and 80's and thinking how great they were. Then listening to the same bands 20 years later and wondering why I never noticed how bad the timing was on some of the songs.
After so many years of using them now, I can instantly tell when the timing is even just a tiny bit off. Even the slight lag caused by excess midi information in software is noticeable now, when I would never have even been aware of it back then.
Another advantage of using a drum machine is that you can program in different styles and beats. With a metronome you're keeping beat to a 4/4 click, but you can't really get into the backbeat or change your strumming pattern that much.
Other alternatives to drum machines would be using some kind of recording software to play midi files. Then you could also practice along with music as well.
Another alternative is to use loops. For instance, the Jam tool on Guitar Tricks is an excellent way to practice timing as well as learning scales etc.
# 2
Hi Herb,
Kevin's got it down, to really get in time you need to sync your body up with a locked rhythm, like a metronome. If you don't have a guitar with you you can even practice by clapping or tapping to the radio, your CD/mp3 player, etc. This way you can work on it anytime..while you're on the way to work or anywhere you feel comfortable. My guitar teacher had me clap out the beats to music before he'd let me play them on the guitar and I think it's a helpful exercise.
Neal
GT Channel Host
Kevin's got it down, to really get in time you need to sync your body up with a locked rhythm, like a metronome. If you don't have a guitar with you you can even practice by clapping or tapping to the radio, your CD/mp3 player, etc. This way you can work on it anytime..while you're on the way to work or anywhere you feel comfortable. My guitar teacher had me clap out the beats to music before he'd let me play them on the guitar and I think it's a helpful exercise.
Neal
GT Channel Host
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http://www.guitartricks.com/channel/
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# 3
An extra $.02-
What we used to do was to set a metronome very slow, maybe quarter = 60, and play quarter notes and try to "bury" the metronome, in other words play so accurately that you can't hear it because your note happens at exactly the same time.People sometimes think metronomes are for helping you plaay fast, but they are just as useful getting your groove. Another trick I use with my students is to set the metronome up at half speed, and have the students hear the beats as 2 and 4, so they have to put 1 and 3 in the right place based on feel. It really helps your jazz swing, but is also helpful for rock, since it has such a strong backbeat usually.
What we used to do was to set a metronome very slow, maybe quarter = 60, and play quarter notes and try to "bury" the metronome, in other words play so accurately that you can't hear it because your note happens at exactly the same time.People sometimes think metronomes are for helping you plaay fast, but they are just as useful getting your groove. Another trick I use with my students is to set the metronome up at half speed, and have the students hear the beats as 2 and 4, so they have to put 1 and 3 in the right place based on feel. It really helps your jazz swing, but is also helpful for rock, since it has such a strong backbeat usually.
# 4