Re: [Harp-L] Rhythm and Timing

[The Iceman <icemanle@xxxxxxx>]

I'm fond of making the students say "Hut-tah Hut-tah" along with a shuffle style blues recording until they sync with the groove. 


Usually doesn't take too long.


Next I'll suggest they say "hut-tah Hut-tah" quietly to themselves when they are walking - to and from store, down hallway, around block, etc, letting their walking set the tempo.


Then I'll relate or "attach" what we do on the harmonica to the student's slowly internalizing automatic groove maker.



-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Hale <robert@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-L list <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Fri, Nov 30, 2012 12:57 pm
Subject: [Harp-L] Rhythm and Timing


RHYTHM AND TIMING
Most students begin with a very good sense of the beat, and we invest our
time in harp-specific techniques. But sometimes there one with an irregular
presentation of counting.

Here are some ways we work to refine the awareness of rhythm.

   - Student to SPEAK the count of 1-2-3-4 while I play to drum tracks
   - TAP their foot, as above. Then TAP to their own playing
   - We SLOW the tempo extremely to "magnify" the space between beats
   - INCREASE gradually the tempo of drum machine while they play a
   repeating pattern correctly
   - WRITE the tempo started, and the tempo achieved to measure progress
   - RECORD them playing to drum tracks, and
   - LISTEN to results, asking them to self-evaluate specifically.

Other ideas you have used successfully?

Robert Hale
Spiral Advocate
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