Time-Feel-Groove-Time!?

[buga]

I have used metronomes only during practice time when a particular pattern I'm developing needs to stay within perfect time. Then when the pattern is done correctly, within it's proper tempo, then I will put the metronome away. At this point, I have hopefully developed a "mental" click in my brain. But once this click is set in your mind, you must understand that it will not be as perfect as a metronome. At least you would have, at this point, developed a fairly accurate "sense" of time. There will be wavering in tempo to be expected, but must not be too obvious when playing. I've have heard of drummers claiming to having Perfect tempo. But when put next to a clik, it would seem other wise. The idea in the use of metronomes, is to develop a solid sense of acceptable tempo for what a particular music is demanding of us..

Aside from playing with other musicians, playing with along records/CDs is the single best thing for working on time, because it helps you understand the groove. Now the real test of locking it down, especially if it's a CD or a tape, putting on the headphones and playing along with it to the point where I don't need to read a chart anymore.

[peter c]

Yes, Frank. I practice
at very slow tempos, to
the metronome.

It's HARDER to be on-time
at slower tempos.

At faster tempos, there's
less space between the
notes and this makes for
easier choices. You're not
wondering whether to use
the double-up option. I
think there's less confus-
ion, making it easier.

The most important thing
about practicing at slow-
er tempos is that your
chances at success are
greater and that is very
important because you
want to build a track-rec-
ord of success, not failure.

Billy Cobham strongly sug-
gests that you be able to
sing the melody. I think
this is a good idea too.

[img]cool.gif[/img]

[hanayalator]

I was lucky to see a clinic a couple of months ago about time. The important thing is to ask yourself "what is time?" There's literally hundereds of answers.

Something to think about is Tony or Elvin. Tony was known for being a bit on top of the beat or even 'rushing' at times... Elvin has be known for 4's that are actually 3 and 7/8s.... Still their time feels great and works with the music.

[ladanny]

I think using a metronome is a great way to help develop your internal clock. To Peter's point, slow is MUCH harder. Here's a GREAT warm-up:

do the following two bar phrases and start at 40 BMP and increase by 5 or 10 until 120 BMP:

1/4 notes
1/4 triplet
8th notes
8th note triplets
16th notes
5 notes per beat
16th note triplets
7 notes per beat

It's MUCH harder at the slower tempos, especially the simple 1/4 note.

You can do single stick or alternating.

Danny

[Kubla]

I have found it useful to "move" the click to different parts of the beat in order to incorporate it into the groove, rather than just using it as a timekeeper. For example, putting the click on the "e" or "a", making it a dotted-eighth, quarter-note triplet ... etc. The possibilities are endless. By doing this, it seems to force me into thinking more about groove than just time. And it's a helluva lot more musical and fun than metronomic water torture.

[FuseU1]

Great posts.

& "more musical and fun than metronomic water torture."

That is hilarious! [& quite on the money]