[DannyD]

O.K., I'm brand new to playing music and the guitar. But I recently retired and learning to play a musical instrument is on my "to do before I die" list. Anyway, i've been taking some lessons (half hour once a week) for about two months now, and my biggest problem seems to be that I have no sense of rhythm. My teacher keeps saying it will come, but I think he is frustrated too. I'm all up in my head he says and its true. But I'm am (was) an accountant by profession and I've spent my entire life learning things in my head. What are some ways I can work on developing a sense of rhythm and timing?

[picassov7]

welcome Danny,

im in the same boat as you. i have been playing for a couple months and rhythm is a tough obstacle. my advice is to keep being patient. it will take time, but will be worth it in the end. if you are all in you head, then to start out by taking the problem there. rhythm is just artistic patterns, so try to visualize it like that. you can see patterns everywhere you look: birds flying, a dripping faucet, someones taxes.

also, you might try varying your style of practice. you might be pushing yourself too hard on this and are losing the fun. thats never good for learning. a great source is this forum here. check out neilsonites' lesson on strumming patterns. it helped me a lot.

it will come. just dont give up on it.

[DannyD]

Thanks for the encouragement picassov7.

Where do I find this "neilsonites' lesson on strumming patterns"?

[X4StringDrive]

DannyD, You have rhythm your just not seeing it ...just like using your calculator, rhythm in your fingers while crunching digits, when you tap your foot to the sound of a favorite song, we all have rhythm its just getting control of it that takes time. As picassov7 said take it easy on yourself it will get better. Concentrate on the beauty of what your playing and the rest will follow.

[picassov7]

its under members lessons in the forum home.

here's the link
Strumming

[allthumbs]

Originally Posted by DannyD

Thanks for the encouragement picassov7.

Where do I find this "neilsonites' lesson on strumming patterns"?

http://www.guitarforbeginners.com/fo...splay.php?f=28

[Clancy]

Originally Posted by DannyD

Thanks for the encouragement picassov7.

Where do I find this "neilsonites' lesson on strumming patterns"?

Here you go Danny... Neilsonites strumming lesson - Strumming

You also might want to take a look at this as well - Practising with a metronome

Cheers

Clancy

[Clancy]

Beat me to it allthumbs.

[Dewy]

Some folks just have... others have to work for it. Yet I think what we have here is one of those rare occasions where someone is "thinking too hard" about it. Rythym isn't something you can force, it is something you have to "Feel" and "Turn yourself over to".

The best exercise I have ever seen for rythym is counting... something you should slip right into as an accountant. Pick a song, something simple that you have access to the sheet music or chord changes to. Then listen and read a long. Clap, tap your foot, or just count out loud the various timing and changes as you listen to the song.

"Practicing" timing or rythym is really easy, you can do it while your driving (no tapping you feet), or during conjugal relations (quietly so as not to arouse anyone). But when your playing it can be a serious distraction if your concentrating on it more than the mechanics of playing the guitar. At that time you going to have to "Turn yourself over" to the rythym of the song. some counting is required, but it has to be secondary. You have to "feel" and anticipate the changes.

Also rythym is an elastic thing... you can play a song "slower" or faster to practice the changes. But ultimately you can't force the rythym... you have to just flow with it.

[Stratrat]

One way to develop your rhythm is to either tap your foot or count the beat in your head as your playing ("one-and-two-and-three-and-four-and...."). If you can't do either of those, playing to a metronome is a huge help! You can buy metronomes, or there are several online ones you can use (do a Google search for metronome).

Don't get discouraged....the rhythm can be one of the hardest parts for many just starting out. You're far from alone! Just keep working on it and it will come to you.

[wcostley]

Thanks DannyD, - for bringing up the subject, I'm in the same boat as you are so I'll be paying attention to all of the advice you get.
Skip...

[eddiez152]

Danny,
Go to Kirks lessons - Don't think twice - It has probably the best example of rhythm
you will find. It's a toe tapper for sure. Another is - Folksy Pickin - and Freight Train.
They all syncopate with the bass. Maybe that will help you start tapping your feet.
eddiez

[737blues]

Your feet, hands and head, they are all great metronomes. I try to keep time to any music I'm playing whilst driving, as a background task to concentrating on not hitting things.

[tomg123]

Metronome i'd say.....try one online and plug your headphones into it while your pracitcing. The beat will be right in your head

[mart1018]

X4 has the answer...The calculator.