Re: [Harp-L] re: rhythm playing

["Dave Murray" <dlmurray@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> > The example at this link shows a shuffle (chug) that goes out of time. 
> > http://trinity.psnw.com/~dlmurray/images/time1.JPG
>
> The question from me is that does this tell you that if you're playing 
> behind the beat (which is the way blues is REALLY played, along with most 
> black music genres as a rule) or ahead of the beat (which a lot of rock, 
> rockabilly, and some country music is played)???? Why??? Because 
> metronomes only can be programmed to click RIGHT ON TOP of the beat, and 
> this is important when it comes to rhythm and groove

Bob,
In the example shown at the link I was trying to lead the metronome with the 
hut and hit it with the ta (hut-ta hut-ta hut-ta (leading)). Without 
debating the virtue, or lack of it, for that timing you can see that in the 
section of the capture that is shown, I can be seen as going a bit too slow 
so that the hut-ta straddled the metronome beat at the right after falling 
behind from the leading play at the left. If you have Audacity recording 
while you play you have a visual display of where you are with respect to 
the beat provided by the metronome. Since the original question was "how can 
I tell if my timing is right?", this is one answer since you can see where 
you are playing including attempts to lead or lag the metronome beat. Since 
it is a linear display in the time domain you could see the consistency of 
your lead or lag. I suspect that other sound recording/editing software can 
do the same thing, I just use Audacity because it's free and I'm a 
cheapskate. :0)

Peace and music,
Dave