Need some help with my rhythmic coordination

[fahrendorff]

Hi.

First of all, I don't play drums, I play bass.

I really think I need to improve my rhythmic coordination, and improve my timing.
It's not as bad as it could be, I know some paradiddles and some polyrhytms, 3 vs 4 etc.

If any of you know some exercises that could help me get better at "controlling my body", I'd really appreciate it.
I'd really like to have greater independence in my limbs and develope a better sense of timing.

Remember, I'm not a drummer so don't make it too hard from the beginning. I know I have to progress slowly.

I appreciate your help.

[smaolach]

-set your metronome (i'm sure u got one ^^) at a comfortable speed in 4/4
-step out the quarternotes; f.e. 1->right foot steps a bit to the right 2->left foot follows 3->left foot steps to the left 4->right foot follows
-make sure your feet hit the ground right on the click
-take it easy, be relaxed, practice until you feel comfortable with that

now add your voice, count out the quarters, eights, triplets, sixteenths etc; then offbeats, quarter-triplets (?), half-triplets (? sorry i dont know the exact terminology in english)

then add clapping those notes.

like that you can practice the different subdivisions, offbeats, polyrhythms etc.

have fun

[Pollyanna]

"Controlling you buddy". Do you mean your "body" or your band's drummer?

If I was you I'd start with beats that seem doable and use a metronome to keep the timing accurate. That way you get used to hearing the beat played in proper time. Start very slow and don't worry if anyone overhearing you might think you sound basic. Most people here will tell you that playing along with a metronome at slow tempos (say 40-60bpm) helps greatly in developing good time. I personally find it helps a lot.

Others here are better qualified to give coordination advice. A search for drumming coordination exercises in YouTube bring up heaps of results.

[fahrendorff]

"Controlling you buddy". Do you mean your "body" or your band's drummer?


Haha, sorry. I meant my body.

Thank you for your replies both of you.

[Pollyanna]

Haha, sorry. I meant my body.

Thank you for your replies both of you.

Heh, I was going to give you tips on controlling your band's drummer. In my experience The Bassist Glare is the most common means of coercing a drummer into not varying the tempo, but you might already have that trick up your sleeve :)

[smaolach]

*grin* i heard *slapping* is very common among funk-bassists ^^ that's why all funk drummers better gotta be tight

playing at very slow tempos helps greatly, but it can be very hard in the beginning, perhaps start at an easy mid-tempo and then slow it down gradually

[thelimpingtoad]

playing at very slow tempos helps greatly, but it can be very hard in the beginning, perhaps start at an easy mid-tempo and then slow it down gradually

This is true... playing slowly in time is much more difficult then playing at a moderate speed. However that could just be because the mistakes are even more noteceable.
You may also want to set your metronome with a subdivision of eighth notes so you can better feel the upbeat. You would still want to work with quarter note beats first but having that eighth note subdivision will lock you in a little tighter. Try it both ways.
I would recommend getting a "beginner's drum book" and work the exercises with a metronome. Most of those beginners books have very good exercises that will help you lock down the basics of coordination and independence between your limbs.
Also, if you don't already read music (as a bass player i assume you would), you should learn rhythmic notation so you have a thorough understanding of how rhythms work and the relationships between notes lengths.
Lessons would probably be the best way to learn to play drums in my opinion. If you are just learning so that you have a better appreciation for how drummer's play drums then I would still recommend that you take a few lessons... even if you only take a few lessons you'll be able to learn the basics as long as you practice. And then if you want to continue learning on your own, you have the knowledge of proper technique and some of the basics down already.