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alohakanakaluka
Lokahi
USA
135 Posts |
 Posted - 05/09/2006 : 8:50:37 PM
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Aloha Kakou hoaaloha,
I am curious... How do you keep rythym when playing slack key with others? Or by yourself. I have done the Tap the Foot technique, but that has only worked with some stuff...
I have been playing with other players and it seems that because I do the alternate bass, it makes it harder to keep rythym with other players? I feel like some people play Slack Key without it(alternate bass. Some songs don't use it, and other times it feels good to play the song a bit differently. (add in some strumming instead of a normal formatted style).
Basically I am finding that I have a hard time playing with others. I feel like I am just a "solo instrumentalist"? I really like to play with others, and I want to have the ability to "mesh" with them. Without throwing off the tempo of the song...
Playing with "experienced" players helps, but I still feel like maybe its just each persons way of playing the song (s)? Some play it faster and have learned to play it that way. I feel that "most" mele's need to be played "Traditionally", therefore you need to use the alternate bass? But I am finding it difficult to keep the rythym with these players... I also find it difficult for "myself' to keep rythym on a song using alternate bass. (singing that is).
Some stuff I am solid on and others its just a bit difficult?
How do the "Masters" do it? Do they all play with alternate bass? And how do they stay in rythym, besides having so much experience? What are the "Tricks" so to speak?
Any advice out there?
Mahalo nui loa no ka 'oukou mana'o! Malama pono!
(thank you for your thoughts, Take care!)
Timmy
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Mainkaukau
Lokahi
USA
245 Posts |
Posted - 05/10/2006 : 06:59:26 AM
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| Hi Timmy, the Slack-key guitarist music life can be a lonely one due to the nature of guitar style. I play with a good metronome when practicing. Helps me keep right on the beat when jamming with others and especially when recording. The funny thing about foot tapping, I keep better timing when I tap with my heal rather than with the front of my foot. Hmmmmmm...I wonder why? |
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`Ilio Nui
`Olu`olu
USA
826 Posts |
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Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
Posted - 05/10/2006 : 09:47:59 AM
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Very good question.
Rhythm is the essential element in music, everything else is just notes. It is essential to solo playing as much as playing in a group.
The way to learn to play in rhythm is to practice in rhythm. Practice playing along with a solid foundation. A metronome is a good place to start. Even better, use a drum machine or drum program on your computer. A program like Band in a Box or Garageband can help get you in the groove. The cool thing about mechanical aids is that you can vary the tempo.
We're talking practice here, not just noodling. Try to develop good thumb habits so you can always hit beats 1 & 3 with your thumb. Once it's sold, practice leaving some thumb notes out. Practice playing 1/4 notes and 8th notes with your fingers. Practice strumming on the beat. Practice strumming off the beat. Practice at different tempos. Practice subdividing the beat into all kinds of wack-o fractions.
If you want to be a foot tapper, practice tapping your foot!
If you practice playing in rhythm, you will play in rhythm. If you teach yourself to play without rhythm, that's the way you'll play. And no one will want to play with you.
Many folks like to play along with CDs. And check out "Slack Tracks," too. And yes, playing with others is a good way to go, too.
Learn to listen. Listen to where the beats fall, listen to how long each chord change lasts. Listen to how your guitar fits in.
What's the most important source of rhythm? Your heartbeat and your breath. If you get nervous, your heart speeds up, and you push the beat. If your attention wanders, you might slow down.
Just remember that rhythm can be learned, just like all those notes and licks and chords and twisty little finger bits.
How's that?
cheers,
Mark
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ArtSap
Lokahi
USA
267 Posts |
Posted - 05/10/2006 : 4:22:00 PM
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| Sometimes I just close my eyes and "feel" the rhythm and the beat... |
Art
SF Bay Area, CA / Mililani, HI
"The real music comes from within you - not from the instrument" |
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alohakanakaluka
Lokahi
USA
135 Posts |
Posted - 05/10/2006 : 6:04:08 PM
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Brah, mahalo nui for all da kokua! I really appreciate the input! I am going to do the garage band and the metronome! I mainly have problems when singing a song, and the other player is playing at the same tempo, then I seemingly slip out of rythym and screw up the section of the mele. I don't stop playing but it does throw things off!
Mahalo for the info on heartbeat and breath. After reading that part you can totally relate to the pure truth in that! Amazing how simple but true that is!
I am going to spend some serious time with practicing these techniques! They are invaluable and a vital part in playing any instrument! MAHALO NUI LOA KO'U HOAALOHA! AKUA HO'OMAIKA'I! Mainkaukau, Mark, SLACKDOG, and Art!
I have a long way to go but its a fun and challenging road to play well! I look forward to meeting each of you! (except you 'Ilio! Your around here all the time already!!! OOOOOOWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!) But I look forward to playing with you! He's a damn good player!
a hui hou!
Timmy
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thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2168 Posts |
Posted - 05/10/2006 : 8:12:50 PM
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| I have found that relaxing is the best way to play in tempo. No huhu, no mo' rush, jus' enjoy. |
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JimC
Lokahi
USA
135 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2006 : 05:54:27 AM
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The recent topics about rythym are great. I beleive timing should be lesson #1 all of the sugestions that have been made are great.
Have a beer relax and just practice, practice , practice.
I'm sure "Doctor Dog" can fix you up
See you at the Grill sometime.
Jim |
Jim
http://www.ohanahulasupply.com
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alohakanakaluka
Lokahi
USA
135 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2006 : 08:06:57 AM
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Mahalo Jim,
Yep da "DOG"...He's a good boy... haaaa haaaaa haaaa... OOOWWWOOOOOOO!!!!! SIT UBU SIT... Good Dog! WHHOOOFFF!
I am realizing that rythym "IS" huahelu 'ekahi!! (#1)... I appreciate the input bruddah!
Eh I just had an idea! Maybe we should put togethor some kind of "Kanikapila" session here at da grille? On a Sunny Santa Cruz day by da beach on our Lanai! If its too noisy we can Holoholo right down the street to da beach, or go indoors to our "Makena" room!
In fact if you guys are interested jus' let me know and lets set a date for it! ALL THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED JUS' POST YOUR NAME AND EMAIL ME WITH YOUR NUMBERS AND IDEAS FOR A DATE. WE CAN ORGANIZE A DAY WHERE WE CAN JUS' JAM TOGETHOR! We'll call it "Kanikapila Kana Kaluka"! What do you think? I think it would be fun and interesting to see all of the "Taro Patch" Talent come togethor, and share with one another! I know some of you are dying to show us what you got! Nothing formal jus' like back home!
Well I guess we will just have to see what the feedback looks like and get more input...
If you want to Wala Au (talk) more about it just email me or call me here at da grille:
831-479-3299. www.alohaislandgrille.com |
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Karl Monetti
`Olu`olu
USA
756 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2006 : 4:11:41 PM
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| I remember as a kid hearing about the 'rhythm method' used by catholics...maybe you should ask one of those??? |
Karl
Frozen North |
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`Ilio Nui
`Olu`olu
USA
826 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2006 : 4:51:30 PM
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People who used "the rhythm method" are called parents
Dog |
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Larry Goldstein
Lokahi
267 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2006 : 07:09:24 AM
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Last night while practicing I tried to be mindful of Mark's wisdom to pay attention to my breathing and my heart. I realized I couldn't feel my breath, let alone my heart beat (which I assume has got that swing).
Any thoughts on how to tune in are appreciated.
Larry |
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Lawrence
Ha`aha`a
USA
1597 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2006 : 09:45:27 AM
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I can keep a good steady rythym, but when performing in public the heart and the beat speed up considerably and I end up going too fast. I am aware of this and also about the things to do to combat it, such as taking a deep breath before starting, but those things often get unconsiously overlooked when nervous. It is a common problem!
quote:
ALL THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED JUS' POST YOUR NAME AND EMAIL ME WITH YOUR NUMBERS AND IDEAS FOR A DATE. WE CAN ORGANIZE A DAY WHERE WE CAN JUS' JAM TOGETHOR!
You ought to post this as a NEW TOPIC to get more responses!
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Mahope Kākou...
...El Lorenzo de Ondas Sonoras |
Edited by - Lawrence on 05/12/2006 09:52:18 AM |
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Karl Monetti
`Olu`olu
USA
756 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2006 : 2:39:05 PM
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Larry
i would have thought you'd have recovered form the blood loss to skeeters on the Melozi by now. Your heart is that lump you get in your chest when you look down from casting your fly to a rise and realize you are standing in a grizzly track...you know, that thumpetathumpeta feel? We gotta make sure you're alive, so, maybe you need to get excited first, so yoy can feel the heart and hear the breathing (try runnig arond the bolck a few times), then learn how to calm down.
As for calming down, I have found the best way to do that when you play with, for, or in front of people, is to get them involved. Talk with them....just getting outside of myself seems to allow me to be more relaxed. I have found that i can get so relaxed that i loose concentration and for get what song i am playing, but that is better that the days when during a slow ballad, my left leg would be pumping at 120 beats /minute, my hearrt would be in my throat, my rhythm would go all to heck and my thumb would cramp up. All at once. |
Karl
Frozen North |
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marzullo
`Olu`olu
USA
923 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2006 : 3:47:16 PM
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metronomes are the tool of satan. they keep a steady rhythym until you stop paying attention to them, at which point they choose a random place to change ticking. gerry, jack and i have many times been astonished at what the metronome has done! even worse, they communicate with other metronomes! a pair of them seem to agree on how to warp the space-time continuum.
on the other hand, when we've played "pua hone", i've noticed that we are playing much faster at the end. i've started looking for nearby black hole as the likely culprit.
aloha,
keith
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cmdrpiffle
`Olu`olu
USA
553 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2006 : 8:36:49 PM
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Rhythm?
I knew I was missing something |
my Poodle is smarter than your honor student |
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