A Friend who critiques the web site for me said, “I can’t believe you don’t have any metronome exercises.” I responded half joking, “that’s ‘cause I learned Old School in marching band where some one would whack me in the head for getting out of step.”
Silly as the exchange may seem it holds three Truths:
1. Rhythm is damned important
2. You have to move to get it
3. You have to practice a lot!
Most audiences can forgive a wrong note, but break the steady beat and watch everybody twitch and frown!
You don’t experience rhythm in your brain, you have to feel it in your body! Move! Dance! (alone if you feel better that way). Keep time EVERY time you listen to music. Conduct Beethoven symphonies, tap your toe to bluegrass, Bang your head to Heavy Metal, Shrug to Show Tunes, er… you get the point.
Practice with a drum machine (see blog on Monkey Machine, free online drum machine!)
Practicing with other musicians will drive home the importance of keeping steady time, but try to avoid the head whacking type.
