Re: [Harp-L] Setting the Tempo

[Elizabeth Hess <TrackHarpL@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Oh, I do this, but unsuccessfully.  I think there's a fear factor involved:  I worry that I'll rush it because I'm nervous, so I deliberately try to calm myself down before giving the count, and the result seems to be that I unintentionally slow myself down, too.

I do work hard on my timing -- I regularly practice with a metronome, work on rhythm patterns as part of my ambient thought-chatter, and get compliments on my playing from drummers.  (I cherish those, especially.)  It's  *tempo*  that I'm having trouble with.

Maybe the vividness of remembering how awful it was to perform "Shake Your Hips" at that ponderously (or, um, sinuously) slow pace Wednesday night will be enough to get me to really go for it next time I try that song.  That particular bit of hip shaking would have been more appropriate to Scheherazade than Slim Harpo, I tell you true.

Elizabeth H. (aka "Tin Lizzie")


On Jan 4, 2013, at 9:02 AM, The Iceman wrote:

> Sing the song to yourself for a moment before you begin the count.