Comments on: How To Do A Band Rhythm Check http://livemusiciancentral.com/2008/11/17/how-to-do-a-band-rhythm-check/ Resources for Performing Musicians Wed, 18 Apr 2012 08:51:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Matt Rushton http://livemusiciancentral.com/2008/11/17/how-to-do-a-band-rhythm-check/comment-page-1/#comment-5176 Matt Rushton Tue, 03 Feb 2009 02:41:57 +0000 http://livemusiciancentral.com/?p=1322#comment-5176 Hey Al, this excercise isn't something that you would do a lot. It's more of a spot check type of excercise and it's a great way to find out who in the band is weak on rhythm. The most resistant band members are usually the ones with the worst rhythm or the members that have a tendency to overplay and ruin the groove. The excercise is designed specifially to help them. So if someone in your band is calling it "retarded" they're probably the most rhythmically challenged. I tell the guys in my band to just pretend we're in a big drum circle at a Grateful Dead concert but we're using our muted instruments as drums. I agree with you that melody an rhythm go hand in hand. This excercise is more a study about "playing in the pocket" with the rest of your band. Most of the time in a band you're not playing the melody but a harmonized rhythm that supports the melody and this excercise simply helps you focus on how your timing locks in with the other members of the band. I checked out musichopper.com, it's pretty sweet too man! Thanks for the comment on this post. -Matt- Hey Al, this excercise isn’t something that you would do a lot. It’s more of a spot check type of excercise and it’s a great way to find out who in the band is weak on rhythm. The most resistant band members are usually the ones with the worst rhythm or the members that have a tendency to overplay and ruin the groove. The excercise is designed specifially to help them. So if someone in your band is calling it “retarded” they’re probably the most rhythmically challenged. I tell the guys in my band to just pretend we’re in a big drum circle at a Grateful Dead concert but we’re using our muted instruments as drums.

I agree with you that melody an rhythm go hand in hand. This excercise is more a study about “playing in the pocket” with the rest of your band. Most of the time in a band you’re not playing the melody but a harmonized rhythm that supports the melody and this excercise simply helps you focus on how your timing locks in with the other members of the band.

I checked out musichopper.com, it’s pretty sweet too man! Thanks for the comment on this post. -Matt-

]]> By: Al http://livemusiciancentral.com/2008/11/17/how-to-do-a-band-rhythm-check/comment-page-1/#comment-5175 Al Tue, 03 Feb 2009 01:24:05 +0000 http://livemusiciancentral.com/?p=1322#comment-5175 I think this idea is a little unrealistic. I have a feeling that band members would not want to do this and say it is "retarded". I think it would be an excellent way to compose music however. Work with only rhythmic components.. and then separate them into instruments. The thing about it is that melody and rhythm go hand in hand and you can't fully grasp the power of one without the other. Its a neat idea though. Great Blog btw! I think this idea is a little unrealistic. I have a feeling that band members would not want to do this and say it is “retarded”. I think it would be an excellent way to compose music however. Work with only rhythmic components.. and then separate them into instruments. The thing about it is that melody and rhythm go hand in hand and you can’t fully grasp the power of one without the other. Its a neat idea though. Great Blog btw!

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