16/10/2017 Lessons

Lesson 2: Time/ Rhythm

Using a Metronome

Use a metronome when you're practicing. Experiment with using the metronome in
different ways, setting it to click:

on beats 1, 2, 3, 4
on beats 2 and 4
on beat 1 of every bar
on beat 3 of every bar

Using Other Devices

You should also practice with

Band-in-a-Box
a drum machine
play-along records

Playing with Other People

The most important thing is playing with other people. The fine art of achieving and
maintaining a good groove can only be learned by doing.

The Backbeat - 2 and 4

In rhythmic music in common time ( 4/4 time), the downbeat is not emphasized. This
means that if you clap your hands or snap your fingers to this type of music, please do it
on 2 and 4. There's nothing more groove killing than people clapping on 1 and 3. Jazz (
and pop/ rock, too) is backbeat music, it's for dancing and not for marching to. Bob
Brozman wrote a great article on this matter ( and on rhythm in general) - read it here.

Locking into the Groove

Locking into the groove is based in confidence. Being able to play "in the pocket" is the
dividing line between those who can play and those who can't. Either you're there or
you're nothing. You just can't afford to have bad time.

A good jazz musician also has to master the art of playing behind the beat. Just the right
amount of it to a solo gives the music a nice relaxed laid-back feel and there's no
substitute for it. For a great example of playing behind the beat, listen to Miles Davis' So
What solo from Kind of Blue. Check out my transcription of the solo, play along with the
recording and you'll get the picture.

Recommended Reading

Read the pages on "Time Headquarters" ( p. 101-104) in The Advancing Guitarist by

Mick Goodrick! What can I say - it can't be said more to the point and I really have
nothing to add to that...

Listening to the Rhythms around You

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16/10/2017 Lessons

Listen to the rhythms around you. There are rhythms everywhere, not only in music, but
in:

waves on a shore
birds' song
people's talk
the sounds of engines and machines

Study these rhythms and try to relate to them. Try to let these rhythms give you ideas to
use when you improvise and write music.
2004 Tomas Karlsson. All rights reserved.

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