Category: Songform

The musical “form” of a “song”. Names exist for popular forms such as “12-bar blues”, “16-bar tune” and “32-bar A1A2”. More complex forms often do not have names and need to be described, identifying their section lengths and types.

What song forms does Alive Drumming support?

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We support all the popular, essential song forms by name - 12 bar blues, 16 bar tunes, 32-bar A1A2 and 32-bar AABA, and about 30 other less common also by name.    The list is increasing!  We also support identifying these same song forms using stick notation.  This simply specifies section lengths in bars, for example, '8|8/8|8', where 'bridge' sections are preceded by a '/' instead of '|'. Additionally, we support user-defined song forms using stick notation, repeats, and concatenation of up to four (4) parts</

How can I learn about song form?

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Song form is the concept that every song has been composed around a musical form or structure.   Popular song often chooses simple forms as a basis but forms can be more complex as well. A good reference on song form (structure) is the Wikipedia article,  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Song_structure Alive Drumming aims to provide you with the easiest and most reliable methods to select or describe song form. Song Form may be selected using either (i) traditional names such as ’16

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

The Primacy of Rhythm in practicing popular music

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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?

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

Could you give me some examples of Song Forms?

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writing on a score
writing on a score
Song Forms for a number of songs are here Musicianship, Song Rhythm Tracks, SongForm, Website

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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When to work on your “Rhythm”?

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?

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 can I learn about song form?

Alive DrummingLeave a comment

Song form is the concept that every song has been composed around a musical form or structure.   Popular song often chooses simple forms as a basis but forms can be more complex as well. A good reference on song form (structure) is the Wikipedia article,  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Song_structure Alive Drumming aims to provide you with the easiest and most reliable methods to select or describe song form. Song Form may be selected using either (i) traditional names such as ’16

Why Song Form with Rhythm Tracks?

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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

When to work on your “Rhythm”?

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?

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