timing help

[starr]

i have trouble with coming in on the and beats

do you guys know any tips???????????????

[555]

You need to work counting. Start with first position key of C (third finger, third fret, fifth string. Set your METRONOME to 120=eighth note. Play the C scale, two eighths/note (CCDDEEFFGGAABBCC).

COUNT OUT LOUD,.... 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 1 and etc,

Pick down on the 1, up on and, down on 2, up on and, etc. So as you count 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and play C C D D E E F F. Play the C scale up and down until it is second nature to pick up on the off beats. Make sure your giving equal emphasis to all the beats......resist the natural tendency to play it as "one uh two uh three uh four uh".

Transfer the down up down up picking to your chord strumming.....always down on one, up on and, down on two, up on and. All the while, you should be tapping the beats with your foot, and moving your pick with your foot, especially when you're NOT picking or strumming a note.

Learn a tune that uses the up beat. "She's A Woman" by the Beatles is easy to learn and a classic example.

[thamiam]

Put down your guitar. Here's what you need to improve your counting.

 

1) A Metronome. Absolutely. Don't try to fudge it, get a metronome.

2) Sheet music (if you read standard notation. If not, then try some other suggestions, because this won't help.) Any kind, as much as possible.

3) Your hands.

 

Now set the metronome for a slooooooooow tempo (40-50 bpm) and simply read the music, clapping your hands for each note. Hold your hands together to indicate sustain, separate them for rests. If you make a mistake, STOP. Do it again, and this time count along with the 8th notes.(1-and-2-and-ec..). Then go on from there.

Do this for 10 minutes a day at the beginning of every practice session. Within a month your timing will improve dramatically.