Quote:
Originally Posted by tonedeaf
...What comes into focus now for me is when I watch symphony orchestras play, maybe 100 musicians at a time, there really is no drummer just a percussion section that intermittantly keeps a beat. The beat can come from any section especially the string sections. They all follow the conduction's lead and all your responses about how if your are out of time with the band it can sound horrible and can ruin a set makes sense now. The symphonies can't afford to have a section out of time. I'm sure they do now and then but they know how to recover very quickly.
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John--
When you mentioned this it reminded me of one of the most important items in learning timing: learn to follow your internal time clock. Internalize the beat and rhythm you're trying to play. Let it come from within.
I know, I know, it all sounds like Zen or something, but what I mean is that timing and rhythm comes just as much from your heart and gut as they do your brain and hand coordination. Then next time you strum a chord, imagine your heart and gut directing you. Coordinate your breathing. Sharply inhale before the downbeat every few measures.
Orchestral players follow the conductor and take his or her cues so they can all be together on the down beat of the measure. The conductor regulates volume levels and cuttoffs. If a player is a little off, they can take the cue from the conductor and get right back with the program and 'catch up' or drop out so they can play the correct note on the next downbeat.
But as for note duration and time between beats, that is something that is internalized by the player. They rely on their musicianship. While they're playing, they are humming or singing or otherwise reproducing the song and timing and tempo in their head.
When they play, they are playing a replica of what they feel is the best representation of their part as they continue
listening to their interpretation in their brain along with the constant feedback of
listening to what they're actually playing. This is how they develop their ear!
All of the above applies to you and me when we play the guitar. The metronome can help you keep time and tell you when the next downbeat will be. But other than that, it's not a very good conductor. But YOU are! Use the combination of the metronome and your interpretation as you learn the feedback loop.
Timing is not just a matter of learning to be steady. It's a combination of consistency and your personal expression!
Steve