| Author |
 Topic  |
|
Lawrence
Ha`aha`a
USA
1597 Posts |
 Posted - 05/13/2006 : 7:27:59 PM
|
rythym? err...ah...Rhythm Noh wunder eye aen't gots nun...
|
Mahope Kākou...
...El Lorenzo de Ondas Sonoras |
Edited by - Lawrence on 05/13/2006 7:30:50 PM |
 |
|
|
jayvinton
Aloha
USA
1 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2006 : 5:20:13 PM
|
Oh, that alternating bass!! Hard to keep if your not raised doing it. I have been playing for almost 50 years this year, but slack key only came along when I met and wed an Hawaiian woman. It is hard to break a half century of Rockabilly, blues, rock, and country playing and begin to keep bass with your self. I am pretty proficient at Chet Atkins picking and Travis picking, but even though they contain alternate bass picking, it is a different feel and style.
Use of a metronome helps to keep time, but seems to kill the nahe nahe of the music, to regimented. |
|
|
|
RJS
Ha`aha`a
1635 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2006 : 9:37:26 PM
|
As to breath - Probably the cheapest and easiest way to become aware of your breath is by practicing some kind of mindfulness meditation. Over time you learn to become aware of your breath even while doing other things.
As to getting control of your breath - there are numerous ways of doing that, also - often, though, really paying attention, and learning how to maintain that attention, is the most important step in getting control of your breath. There are various forms of biofeedback and visualization that can help you get a lot of control over breath.
Personally, I have a lot of problem with performance anxiety. I handle the timing issue by a combination of practicing with a metronone, and getting each piece down cold at performance tempo, a bit slower, and at various tempi faster. That way if I'm performing and I get into a different tempo, I can still play more automatically. Those times when I'm playing a regular alternating bass, I usually lock in well to a time. However, I play a lot of syncopated bass, and often alter the bass pattern in other ways - that's when I rely on both practice and usung my foot as a "metronone." As I'm playing, I'm also listening to a mental "recording" of the song - that helps me with phrasing and timing.
For me, the bigger problem is my hand shaking, coupled with elevated pulse. I'm slowly getting the pulse under control with some basic biofeedback and visualization, but the shaking ... but that's another topic.
|
Edited by - RJS on 05/16/2006 9:47:26 PM |
|
|
|
Reid
Ha`aha`a
Andorra
1526 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2006 : 04:39:39 AM
|
Raymond,
I solve the paying-attention-to-my-breath problem by not breathing when I am playing. I only notice it when my head starts swimming. It drives me nuts. I can not figure out a way of vizualizing my way out of that because I then lose concentration on actually playing. (I also find myself biting my lips together - isn't that wierd?)
It is even more maddeningly paradoxical because I do Taiji almost every day and *easily* sync belly-breathing properly with my body motions. In fact, the breathing really drives my movements. Is it a big muscle/small muscle thing? Is it all mental? Fear? Sitting down? Thinking too hard about one thing?
...Reid |
|
|
|
RJS
Ha`aha`a
1635 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2006 : 08:45:34 AM
|
Reid,
I hesitate to give suggestions, but we have some "n line" history, so, here goes.
Sounds like an anxiety issue to me.
Here's an idea if you want to try an experiment - (frankly I'd like to see if it works)
- - What about spending 5 or 7 minutes a day first sitting where you play, getting into a regular breathing pattern, then hold your hands up as if you have a guitar (air guitar) keep the reular breathing, and then start to "pick" something like 2 or 4 notes per breath in, 2 - 4 notes per breath out. Very regular. Then, keeping your attention, pick up a guitar and apply the breathing/picking "in vivo" Once you can do that reasonably (not perfectly) well, start with a very simple song, eg Kani Ki Ho'alu, and build up from there, with awareness on brerathing. At any point if you loose focus on breathing, or if you stop breathing, take the process back one step.
One of the ideas underlying this is to get breathing part of the muscle memory for each piece. The other is, of course, just increased awareness.
If this strikes your fancy and you try it, please let me know how it works for you.
Malama pono,
R |
|
|
|
Reid
Ha`aha`a
Andorra
1526 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2006 : 09:36:21 AM
|
Thanks, Raymond. Sounds like a very good conditioning process, and one I wouldn't have thought of myself, since it starts with the breathing, not the music. I certainly will try it.
...Reid
Raymond - Update: I am trying it now. It is difficult in the beginning, but I am getting the hang of it. At first I couldn't get out of a In/Thumb - Out/Index groove. Now, I am starting to be able to do 2 in, 2 out, and it is possible to sustain a short while. But, I need to stop and restart. The result, though, is a more regular rhythm during the time I can do it. It will take work, but I will keep it up and let you know more.
Thanks again.
Reid |
Edited by - Reid on 05/17/2006 10:44:38 AM |
|
|
|
Karl Monetti
`Olu`olu
USA
756 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2006 : 11:02:24 AM
|
I like breathing. Breathing is good for your health. So is playing guitar. So, i tend to do a lot of breathing and a lot of playing guitar. Often at the same time.
I have only tried not breathing a few times, never while playing guitar, and i did not like it at all.
I have found that breathing is a must if you are going to play guitar. However, you need not play guitar just to breathe, but,hey, of you are already breathing anyway, might as well play guitar, right?
That's all I kow about breathing |
Karl
Frozen North |
|
|
|
Karl Monetti
`Olu`olu
USA
756 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2006 : 11:04:22 AM
|
| Oh, and i almost forgot...if you don;t breathe too good, don;t breathe too much |
Karl
Frozen North |
|
|
|
Ray Sowders
Akahai
USA
96 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2006 : 12:35:58 PM
|
Or don't breathe by me....
Personally, I only breathe when I am alone, or with someone...
Ray
|
|
|
|
Lawrence
Ha`aha`a
USA
1597 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2006 : 1:43:24 PM
|
Better be careful guyz or Sting will be "watchin you"!
|
Mahope Kākou...
...El Lorenzo de Ondas Sonoras |
|
|
|
kihoalukid
Lokahi
USA
289 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2006 : 3:12:40 PM
|
| Breathe, just dont inhale.. |
Lee |
|
|
|
Mika ele
Ha`aha`a
USA
1493 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2006 : 4:34:11 PM
|
If I think too hard about breathing evenly, it doesn't work too well. Same with guitar. If I think too hard about playing in rhythm, I don't play too well. I've been practicing breathing since I was slapped once as a really little keiki -- I do it pretty good by now if I let it just be. I've been practicing guitar for a long time -- sometimes I play pretty good . . . . too bad I am the only witness.
As Led says -- jus press. |
E nana, e ho'olohe. E pa'a ka waha, e hana ka lima. |
|
|
|
alohakanakaluka
Lokahi
USA
135 Posts |
Posted - 05/20/2006 : 10:53:46 AM
|
I saw Jake Shimabukuro play at the Rio last nite... Incredible show. Just blown away...
Funny thing is that Jake was talking about "breathing" while playing and let in on a small secret on the subject of it...
He said that its vital in playing any stringed instrument to "breathe" in between the notes... In doing so you will give life to the notes and find your counterpoint... He talked about how the notes were alive and how your instrument "unplugged" is a part of you and the sound and resonance of that istrument doesn't just flow thru the soundboard and hole... But into your own body thru your fingers and flows throughout the body and then its released to your audience... Some incredible insight from an incredible player... Breathing when playing... Visualizing each individual note...
Something to think about...
aloha,
Timmy |
|
|
|
Julie H
Ha`aha`a
USA
1206 Posts |
Posted - 05/22/2006 : 9:45:24 PM
|
E Timmy, when you get to George's camp in June, try to catch Bob Brozman's rythm session. He has a great way of making it seem simple. We really got a kick out of it two years ago. Especially Larry, who is an engineer, and he had very little rythm sense. Figure that one out, he's playing bass now! 
Aloha, Julie. (By the way, the kaukau you prepared for last week's fundraiser was ONO. Mahalo nui loa.) |
|
|
|
Julie H
Ha`aha`a
USA
1206 Posts |
Posted - 05/22/2006 : 9:50:13 PM
|
Oh, and Reid,
If you find that you need Raymond's services, or want to meet with him for firsthand information, fly out to California, bring your gorgeous wife, come stay with us and maybe Raymond will agree to meet with you in a neutral place. Maybe if I threaten to feed all of you, we can make it work. 
Hugs, Julie |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
|
|
Topic Locked
