Keeping beats in your head

[Deathmetalconga]

Often I will hear a beat that I like and sing or hum it to myself, maybe if twitch air drum it a bit. I can't wait to get home and try it. Except when I get behind the set, it falls out of my head. This drives me nuts - anyone else have this problem and what do you do about it? Maybe I should just write it down as best I can.

[druid]

Alot of the time I will try to write out whatever idea it is ( if I can) while I still have it. Sometimes this works sometimes not. I used to always recrod things when I thought I had something "new" to play that I really liked. Sometimes that is the only way. I can remember asking a teacher I had about this problem and he told me at the time "Don't worry...it will come back eventually"...Often times that does happen too.

[Jeremy Bender]

I have it happen at times also, I've been wondering for years now if I need therapy or it's just what we share as drummers! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av10Aj16o3k

[kettles]

I just write out 1e+a2e+a3e+a4e+a and above write k,s,t,x, for the drums, and sometimes an approximate tempo. that's usually enough.

On my cell phone I have a few saved text messages with "k..tS.kt.s.tt.S." and so on. the dots represent an empty 16th note, capital letter is an accent.

[Dr_Watso]

That's how it works. Also in-variable, is the way you can play a new groove all night long with the band, then when you try to remember what you were doing last night, it's gone. We just leave the record button on.

[AtomicFlapjack]

I just write out 1e+a2e+a3e+a4e+a and above write k,s,t,x, for the drums, and sometimes an approximate tempo. that's usually enough.

On my cell phone I have a few saved text messages with "k..tS.kt.s.tt.S." and so on. the dots represent an empty 16th note, capital letter is an accent.

Haha I do this all the time! My phone is full of notes and drafts, as is my iPod, all random beats that have come into my head while I haven't been at home and I've just thought that there's no way I'll remember it by the time I get home.

[Ian Williams]

It's a good mental exercise...and putting it on the drums so much the better...I thought I was the only madman doing it! ;-)

[larryace]

I was just now going to start a thread called forgotten beats, but this is the same premise. My problem is when I practice drumset, I will come up with a great beat, and play it until I know I will remember it the next time. Except the next time I practice, I will remember I had a great beat, but heck if I remember what that beat was.

So yeah, Martin it looks like both you and I need to write stuff out, because I've lost so many great grooves, I now have to do something about it. The cellphone idea is great for when you're on the go.

[Toolate]

My b berry has a voice notes function that I record myself singing a beat into almost daily. I even record songs I hear in the car if the beat requires it.

It is embarrassing to beat box quietly into your phone at work but more important to remember the beat.

[IDDrummer]

I often have rhythms running through my head during the monotony of work, but I'm too busy to write or record them. Like you, most of them end up lost forever, but once in a while I'll remember a cool one.

I would love to come up with some kind of mnemonic device, but so far nothing.

[aydee]

...

Writing it out is the only amswer. There's so much that changes by the time you sit down to try something out. Not just the placement of the notes, but the dynamics, feel etc.. happens to me all the time.

PS- Some of the stuff cant really be sung so the voice thing doesnt work for me.

...

[keep it simple]

As my beat repertoire is so minute, I have no beat memory problems whatsoever!

[Mark_S]

I have this problem too, or I'll play a groove and then not remember it later on. Another trick is playing with the band, and at the end of the song they might say "that fill really worked for that bit" - and I'll just look at them blankly with no idea what I did. So I've started trying to record things when I can.

Maybe a dictaphone would be good for when out and about and a beat pops in your head? Then sort of just sing it down the dictaphone while trying not to look crazy.

[Bertram]

My b berry has a voice notes function that I record myself singing a beat into almost daily. I even record songs I hear in the car if the beat requires it.

It is embarrassing to beat box quietly into your phone at work but more important to remember the beat.

LOL that's a good one! I'll record my beatboxes on my phone now.. and eventually remember them :D

[inneedofgrace]

I have that problem from time to time at gigs where I am starting the song off. I struggled with the beat to Honky Tonk Woman last time, thoroughly confusing the guitarist for several measures. I'm going to hear about that tonight at practice!

[tamadrm]

Still another reason to record your practice sessions and carry around a small pocket recorder..You can listen back to it later and then decide if its really worth keeping.

Steve B

[dairyairman]

i have an iphone app called "iDrum" that is basically a drum machine. if i think of a really cool beat, i'll just program it in there on the spot.

[Deathmetalconga]

Thanks for all the advice. I am starting to use the sound recorder function in my HTC Droid to record stuff I hear, or I will verbally beatbox the rhythm into it. That must look weird to people, but it works!

[Toolate]

Wait till your wife catches u.....