Counting

[GeetarGuy]

I am having a problem counting the notes I am playing per beat. I can tell when I am playing 3 but any higher then that and it becomes difficult for me. I take the phrase I want to learn and set my metronome to 60BPM but I never can tell when I am playing more then 3 or 4 notes per beat. I am findng it hard to try and learn the phrase and count the beats at the same time.

 

Also how can I tell how many notes I am playing at a higher tempo? I mean when the metronome is playing at 150bpm its hard for me to tell how many notes per beat I am playing

The sad thing is I have been playing for over 10 years and when I started my Dad had played during the 70s. Someone told me to get a metronome but my Dad told me it wasnt neccecary. I have never playing in a band and have never taken lessons at all -all my experience is with a few other guitarists and my CD collection. Before I get onto a band I want to learn to play properly so I dont look like an ass

Thanks for any help

[dongenaro]

Originally posted by GeetarGuy I am having a problem counting the notes I am playing per beat. I can tell when I am playing 3 but any higher then that and it becomes difficult for me. I take the phrase I want to learn and set my metronome to 60BPM but I never can tell when I am playing more then 3 or 4 notes per beat. I am findng it hard to try and learn the phrase and count the beats at the same time. Also how can I tell how many notes I am playing at a higher tempo? I mean when the metronome is playing at 150bpm its hard for me to tell how many notes per beat I am playing The sad thing is I have been playing for over 10 years and when I started my Dad had played during the 70s. Someone told me to get a metronome but my Dad told me it wasnt neccecary. I have never playing in a band and have never taken lessons at all -all my experience is with a few other guitarists and my CD collection. Before I get onto a band I want to learn to play properly so I dont look like an ass Thanks for any help

The best thing I can suggest is to practice accenting the first
note in each group per beat. Start slowly at first and really over
emphasize the first note in each group of 4, 5, 6 or whatever.
Gradually, and I mean gradually, increase your tempo.

I started really studying guitar later in life than most and so I am
slower to absorb some things than a younger person would be.I
find this execise really helps.

It's also a good idea to mix up the note groupings in each measure.triplets, sixteenths,eigths, etc.

[arasmith]

Another suggestion is to count to the stuff you listen to. Next time you are in the car listening to a CD, try counting the beats. Listen to how the music loops and repeats. If you have a hard time finding the "1" then try a couple things:
1) Find some straight-forward rock and roll, the beats are often easier to identify. Count the beats out loud. There should be some repetition to where the "1" occurs. Bob you head - it helps and it makes it more fun.

2) Find a friend with a Dr Beat (Boss) or a Rhythym Watch (Tama) which can audibly accent the downbeat.

Another idea would be for you to mention a song that you like and, if we have heard it here, maybe we can help you decompose it.

[Auggie Doggie]

There's a system of verbal rhythmic representation that may help you subdivide your beats. I'll keep the example simple (4/4 time).

Count (aloud) as follows:

Quarter notes: "1 2 3 4"

Eighths: "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &"

Sixteenths: "1 ee & uh 2 ee & uh 3 ee & uh 4 ee & uh"

Triplets: "ONE 2 3 TWO 2 3 THREE 2 3 FOUR 2 3"

or "ONE trip let TWO trip let THREE trip let FOUR trip let"

You have to be able to hear these in your head and count them WITHOUT an instrument before you have any chance of PLAYING them correctly. In other words, you can practice this without being near your guitar.

One VERY important thing: when you are playing, ACCENT the downbeats...exaggerate them at first until you get used to it. That will not only help make the music sound better, it gives you a rhythmic reference point.

[Auggie Doggie]

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=364770


Download my warmup exercise in that thread and work on that when you're ready for it...it'll take you from eighth notes to groups of 10. (don't mind the improper accidentals...it's solely a warm exercise and has ZERO musical value, so the note names don't matter)

[dongenaro]

Originally posted by Auggie Doggie There's a system of verbal rhythmic representation that may help you subdivide your beats. I'll keep the example simple (4/4 time). Count (aloud) as follows: Quarter notes: "1 2 3 4" Eighths: "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &" Sixteenths: " 1 ee & uh 2 ee & uh 3 ee & uh 4 ee & uh" Triplets: "ONE 2 3 TWO 2 3 THREE 2 3 FOUR 2 3" or "ONE trip let TWO trip let THREE trip let FOUR trip let" You have to be able to hear these in your head and count them WITHOUT an instrument before you have any chance of PLAYING them correctly. In other words, you can practice this without being near your guitar. One VERY important thing: when you are playing, ACCENT the downbeats...exaggerate them at first until you get used to it. That will not only help make the music sound better, it gives you a rhythmic reference point.

Good post! My ear training and sight singing teacher used to really get on us about the accent thing. It is very easy to get in the habit of giving all the notes the same emphasis when you really should accent downbeats.(unless indicated otherwise in the score of course)

[GeetarGuy]

Wow you guys rock
Thanks for the info (the exercise is really helpfull). I try to tap my feet a bit when im out and listening to music. Sometimes I can tell what the timing on the notes are and sometimes its just too fast.

The peice I was learning was the arpeggio section of Serrana by Jason Becker. The technicallity of it is no problem -its just that my timing is a little off sometimes ( and thats something I just wanted to develop -"all the ability in the world is useless if you cant play on time" someone told me)