Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 7:39 am Post subject: No rhythm and tempo issues
I only have three years under my belt(majority self taught), but I still consider myself a beginner. I have a decent tone, but being realistic that's my only boon. My bane is tempo, it's horrendous. It's to the point I rush quarter notes with the metronome, if I lose focus. This is how I describe my tempo issue. All my timing is subcutaneous, but sometimes I can be self aware about tempo. Once I'm self aware, that's all I focus on. Tone, intonation, and sometimes I lose the buzz while I'm playing. Even dancing or toe tapping to well known songs, I lose rhythm.
I don't want to come to the conclusion that I'm not musically incline, I want to get better. I'm tired of playing organized noise. I want to play music.
Welcome, Matthew! I would say that we're all beginners just trying to get better. I'd also say that we are ALL musically inclined to one degree or another; we just need to tap into it.
Try playing a little game with your met on. If you can set it so that it accents beat 1 of a measure, clap along with only beat 1. If not, try counting it and clapping on only 1 of every 4 beats. This helps internalize pulse.
Other games away form the horn could include guessing fenceposts while riding as a passenger (I don;t encourage that while driving for obvious reasons... ), imitating the pages printing on a copy machine, and drumming along with popular tunes. Even air drumming. But again- not while driving!
Hope this helps... _________________ -Glenn Roberts
"Character is the backbone of human culture, and music is the flowering of human character". -Confucious
Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 2450 Location: New York City
Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 7:51 am Post subject:
Clapping and counting along with a metronome is critical. I even do it on complicated passages from time to time. Using your body in this way will help internalize the physicality of tempo and rhythm.
I was taught that if the metronome isn't on, you're not practicing. So make sure you obey the metronome at all times - no excuses!
"if the metronome isn't on, you're not practicing." I will follow this rule for now on. Never thought of doing that.
Tpter1, I do little games like that too, I follow the beat of the ringing when I'm calling somebody. I'll make sure to keep that in mind and do it with a lot of things.
Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Posts: 8914 Location: Orange County, CA
Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 9:23 am Post subject:
I have a similar problem with sight-singing. I can read the words, or the notes, but not both at the same time.
In your case, you might try singing your parts, first without the metronome, then with. If it's not working out, slow down until it does.
Ultimately you need to fluent enough on your instrument that the notes become second nature. Only then will you really be free to focus on the music. Don't stress at 3 years, you've still got dues to pay. _________________ "I'm an engineer, which means I think I know a whole bunch of stuff I really don't."
Charles J Heiden/So Cal
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I have a similar problem with sight-singing. I can read the words, or the notes, but not both at the same time.
In your case, you might try singing your parts, first without the metronome, then with. If it's not working out, slow down until it does.
Ultimately you need to fluent enough on your instrument that the notes become second nature. Only then will you really be free to focus on the music. Don't stress at 3 years, you've still got dues to pay.
This is good advice. Take the trumpet shtuff out of the equation for a bit and sing your music, with the metronome. You can also add clapping or thumping your hand on your chest at the same time, to combine this idea with Turkle's.
Just make sure you can actually feel the beat and sing the music before you try adding trumpet to the mix. You need to internalize the time first.
Joined: 20 Apr 2016 Posts: 1063 Location: New Glasgow, Nova Scotia
Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2017 3:20 am Post subject:
Matthew, are you, or have you played with other musicians in a band ? If not, try to get in one. Metronomes are fine for practice, but the best experience you will get with tempo and rhythm is in some kind of band with a good conductor. _________________ GeorgeB
1960s King Super 20 Silversonic
2016 Manchester Brass Custom
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), imitating the pages printing on a copy machine, and drumming along with popular tunes. Even air drumming. But again- not while driving!
