[Harp-L] FEELING THE GROOVE and reflecting it physically

["John F. Potts" <hvyj@xxxxxxx>]

One needs to RELAX.  As i understand it, It is actually a  
physiological phenomenon.  The heart beat actually sort of  
synchronizes to the pulse of the rhythm of music that has a heavy  
beat (especially electric music).  So relax, let the music move  
through your ears and body viscerally and allow yourself to sway in  
time to the music instead of doing something more deliberate and  
volitional like tap one's foot.  Let the music take you instead of  
trying to move in time to the music.  It's more of an unconscious  
response if you can relax and sort of allow yourself to become one  
with the pulse instead of TRYING to keep time.

Now, that being said, some musicians can do this more naturally or  
with more facility than others.  I play with a bandleader who plays  
guitar and has an advanced degree in music.  GREAT player, but   
doesn't really move in time to the music and doesn't have a deep  
sense of groove.  He has occasionally taken gigs playing bass, but  
usually doesn't last long as a bass player because of this.  But a  
terrific musician, and an excellent player with very creative  
artistic sensibilities.  Actually, I should count my blessings since  
I am very fortunate to get to play with a musician of his caliber and  
I've learned a lot because of it. As i think about it, I suspect one  
of the reasons he may like having me around is because I do have a  
decent sense of groove which compliments his playing style and in  
some contexts compensates when his sophisticated improvisational  
playing begins to meander.  We work pretty well together and people  
seem to like it.  And he's taught me a whole lot of sophisticated  
musical stuff i can do on the harp (like playing chord extension  
tones on the high end when i don't have the necessary scale tones  
available since don't OB).

Anyway, i guess the point is that it's easier for some of us than  
others, but try to RELAX and let the music move you instead of  
deliberately trying to move in time to the music.  Let the music  
inside of you first.  That way you FEEL the music  instead of just  
trying to move to it.

FWIW,

JP