Time Keeping Lesson

[tak22thegoat]

Topic: Keeping Time
Goal: Be able to keep perfect time and know where you are in the piece.

When playing, always feel the beat. What I mean by feeling the beat is to use your body as a metronome. Your body has a rhythm, your heart has a rhythm, your brain has a rhythm. Use it as an advantage. One thing you can do to keep time is to tap your left foot when on the ride cymbal, or if you are playing on the hi hat you can tap your left foot with your heel. Another thing is to keep a beat with your head, (yes headbanging). It somehow works for some people.

To track where you are in the piece, count (1+2+3+4+ 2+2+3+4+ 3+2+3+4+ 4+2+3+4+ 1)

I was just bored.

[Erik Lund]

I'll make sure to tell the band to keep all songs at my brain's tempo.

[jonescrusher]

Indeed, maybe Erik aside, most people find some way to externalise their timekeeping, especially when in a gig situation. Is particularly useful in breakdown parts. Keep in mind that when practising it is more beneficial to avoid this i.e. if working on a rhythm study or snare solo try not to tap your foot to a pulse - try to internalise only in your mind or count out loud. This strengthens your internal clock.