Category: practice

How we practice music.

When to work on your “Rhythm”?

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When learning a new piece of music, when should a musician work on getting right the rhythm and feel of the piece?

We have long believed it has to be the very first thing to get right and there’s little point playing notes at all unless they are in the desired rhythm (feel and groove).   Tempo, however, is a whole other subject – there’s a lot to be said for precision and even playing tunes at markedly different tempos to internalize the piece better.
Timing is the bedrock of all music:  “When a note is struck at the wrong time, it’s the wrong note”.
Getting playing in the right rhythm as soon as possible is why we have always sought out structured and inspiring rhythmic backing.  This ultimately lead to  “Song Rhythm Tracks“.

Rhythm and Tim

How to practice, then how to jam?

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Here are my views on how to go about practicing and jamming.

This is such an important part of the journey of becoming a musician. I wrote this down for the benefit of a musician just setting out on his journey, wanting to know what the key things were that would determine their success.  I know I certainly did not go about it the right way for many years.  I had not had any musical education as a child, but as an adult when learning music for the first time, had the benefit of a private teacher but never really addressed this important issue.

Learning Melodies in Private Practice

If you are learning a new, perhaps challenging, melody for the first time, in private practice, then sure, do count out the meter and use a metronome /

How to practice, then how to jam?

Alive DrummingLeave a comment

Here are my views on how to go about practicing and jamming.

This is such an important part of the journey of becoming a musician. I wrote this down for the benefit of a musician just setting out on his journey, wanting to know what the key things were that would determine their success.  I know I certainly did not go about it the right way for many years.  I had not had any musical education as a child, but as an adult when learning music for the first time, had the benefit of a private teacher but never really addressed this important issue.

Learning Melodies in Private Practice

If you are learning a new, perhaps challenging, melody for the first time, in private practice, then sure, do count out the meter and use a metronome /

Why do these Song Rhythm Tracks sound so totally great?

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These Song Rhythm Tracks do sound totally great, don’t they?

This is one of the most frequent things I hear.  The great sound quality often comes as surprise, perhaps because of the widespread familiarity everybody has with 'Midi Drum Machines', which don't satisfy in the same way as Song Rhythm Tracks.  Midi Drum Machines and Song Rhythm Tracks are two very different products; we summarize their differences in the comparison section below.

The Song Rhythm Tracks Way

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Why Song Form with Rhythm Tracks?

Alive DrummingLeave a comment

https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/blog/learning-jazz/drums/dealing-song-forms-tips-drummers/?utm_content=bufferc26db&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Check out the article above, "Dealing with Song Forms: Tips for Drummers" from the Learn Jazz Standards website. It is great advice for drummers on how to reinforce the song form while drumming.

Ever wondered why "Song Rhythm Tracks", and not just, "<span

Why Song Form with Rhythm Tracks?

Alive DrummingLeave a comment

https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/blog/learning-jazz/drums/dealing-song-forms-tips-drummers/?utm_content=bufferc26db&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Check out the article above, "Dealing with Song Forms: Tips for Drummers" from the Learn Jazz Standards website. It is great advice for drummers on how to reinforce the song form while drumming.

Ever wondered why "Song Rhythm Tracks", and not just, "<span

The Primacy of Rhythm in practicing popular music

Alive DrummingLeave a comment

When learning a new piece of music, when should a musician work on getting right the rhythm and feel of the piece?

Introduction

I have long believed it has to be the very first thing to get right and there's little point playing notes at all unless they are in the desired rhythm and feel.   Tempo, however, is a whole other subject - there's a lot to be said for precision and even playing tunes at markedly different tempos to internalize the piece better. Timing is the bedrock of music:  "When a note is struck at the wrong time, it's the wrong note".  Getting playing in the right rhythm as soon as possible is why I've always sought out structured and inspiring rhythmic backing.  This ultimately lead to  "Song Rhythm Tracks".

Rhythm and Timing</h