Re: [Harp-L] solid time

[Slim Heilpern <slim@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Not sure I fit your "rock solid" classification, but I think my timing's reasonably good.

It's important to not sound like a machine in most styles of music, and especially so in jazz, so "rock solid" is a questionable term here. But to play well, you need to know exactly where the beat is so you can phrase around it appropriately and at the same time not sound like you're dragging, rushing, or manic. IOW, you should be capable of sounding like a machine, but not actually do that.

To improve my timing (i.e. knowing exactly where the beat is) I work with a metronome -- not to be confused with playing _like_ a metronome. If it sounds to you like the metronome is speeding up or slowing down, it's a strong clue that it's you who are slowing down or speeding up and you need to fix that. The more discouraging it is to play with a metronome, the more you need to do it. Do it until it's easy.

Hope this helps...

- Slim.

www.SlideManSlim.com



On Apr 4, 2014, at 2:31 PM, Music Cal wrote:

> This is a question for the jazz players amongst us with rock solid timing.
> 
> What have you done to develop your timing?
> 
> (Hi Jon)