Hewitt2
Senior Member
Hi everyone -
I took the plunge and started more consistently recording myself playing and listening to the results a few months ago. While my sense of time is generally ok when playing along to music or a metronome, drumless tracks are a massive challenge to me. This is a little surprising as before I started recording myself I thought I had a good natural sense of rhythm. But the tape doesn't lie and I am shocked that I am all over the place, especially with slower BPM quarter note grooves. Leaving aside questionable musical choices and spotty use of dynamics, my timing for grooves and fills is embarrassing and atrocious.
My question: given this massive gap in my playing, I am seriously considering whether there is any point to practicing anything else other than getting better time? What's the point of practicing hand/foot speed, polyrhythms, odd groupings, etc. when I can't hold down the money beat at 85 BPM? Would you guys agree?
If so, what would an effective practice regimen look like?
Some things about me to give you context:
- Been playing for about 5 years now
- Have about 1.5-2 hours per day to practice
- I'm not currently gigging or part of a band although I do jam with others on occasion
- Regularly use metronome when practicing
- Given my weird work schedule and at-home commitments, getting a teacher at this point will be very difficult (although I have used them in the past)
Thank you all for your help!
I took the plunge and started more consistently recording myself playing and listening to the results a few months ago. While my sense of time is generally ok when playing along to music or a metronome, drumless tracks are a massive challenge to me. This is a little surprising as before I started recording myself I thought I had a good natural sense of rhythm. But the tape doesn't lie and I am shocked that I am all over the place, especially with slower BPM quarter note grooves. Leaving aside questionable musical choices and spotty use of dynamics, my timing for grooves and fills is embarrassing and atrocious.
My question: given this massive gap in my playing, I am seriously considering whether there is any point to practicing anything else other than getting better time? What's the point of practicing hand/foot speed, polyrhythms, odd groupings, etc. when I can't hold down the money beat at 85 BPM? Would you guys agree?
If so, what would an effective practice regimen look like?
Some things about me to give you context:
- Been playing for about 5 years now
- Have about 1.5-2 hours per day to practice
- I'm not currently gigging or part of a band although I do jam with others on occasion
- Regularly use metronome when practicing
- Given my weird work schedule and at-home commitments, getting a teacher at this point will be very difficult (although I have used them in the past)
Thank you all for your help!