Question:
Okay, so I started playing guitar for my church's praise band.
One thing that surprised me was that I'm having a lot more trouble than I thought staying on beat with the drummer.
I know that the drummer has a tendency to slow down a bit, but in any case, I find myself losing rhythm.
Funny when you consider I play rhythm guitar for the praise team. Ha Ha.
So, any tips I can do to work on it?
I think it has to do with the fact that I'm singing as well. Too many things going on at the same time. Argh!
Answer:
Originally Posted by saiyaman Okay, so I started playing guitar for my church's praise band.
One thing that surprised me was that I'm having a lot more trouble than I thought staying on beat with the drummer.
I know that the drummer has a tendency to slow down a bit, but in any case, I find myself losing rhythm.
Funny when you consider I play rhythm guitar for the praise team. Ha Ha.
So, any tips I can do to work on it?
I think it has to do with the fact that I'm singing as well. Too many things going on at the same time. Argh!
Practice with a metronome. Over and over and over and over and over...
Sometimes tempos change in the songs for a variety of reasons, so listen carefully at all times and learn to be able to flow with the song whatever is happening.
Answer:
lol...there isn't much more advice to give. practice with the band, with cd's, but mostly with a metronome and on your own. playing with a cd will only let you memorize specific timings that are recorded. but if you're playing with a band, those timings are going to change when the band plays (unless they're perfect ).
play with a metronome, but play with all kinds of different tempos.
Answer:
Is the problem that you're actually working at different speeds than the drummer or that you're strumming something that's clashing with the beat he's playing? If it's the latter, practicing by yourself is probably the worst thing you could do.
Answer:
Like they said, practice! That's pretty much all you could do. Practice playing with CD's, beats, and the drummer that your having problems with. Alot.
Answer:
Listen to Jay. That's a common problem for bands. Often when a band doesn't stay together, its because they're doing rhythms that stay in the beat, but don't line up with each other very well.
One way i've succesfully practiced intra-band rhythm is by having the drummer lay down the beat, and then add instruments one at a time...oddly enough, adding acoustic guitar last.
Answer:
what jay said is very common, though i wouldnt' give up on practicing alone if thats the case. if it is start anallyizng your rhythm, pay attention to the pattern of up and down strokes you use. you'll start to find that you play about the same pattern on every song. now, start coming up with something different. if you can't think of anything start by playing whole notes or eighth notes, and then add up strokes and what not. then when you get back with the band find a rhythm pattern that fits what the drummer plays, adn the song.
if its not that, then yes a metronome, over and over..., you could back off the singing, that messes some people up. tap your foot while you play, it helps, count in your head, physically watch the drummer. all these things help
Answer:
Originally Posted by georgeo Listen to Jay. That's a common problem for bands. Often when a band doesn't stay together, its because they're doing rhythms that stay in the beat, but don't line up with each other very well.
One way i've succesfully practiced intra-band rhythm is by having the drummer lay down the beat, and then add instruments one at a time...oddly enough, adding acoustic guitar last. I would start with the bass, but this is a good suggestion.
Answer:
as always, thanks for the advice. i'll be practicing!
Answer:
Originally Posted by Jay Tea Is the problem that you're actually working at different speeds than the drummer or that you're strumming something that's clashing with the beat he's playing? If it's the latter, practicing by yourself is probably the worst thing you could do.
oh, and the problem is that we're working at different speeds.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Dave_01 Practice with a metronome. Over and over and over and over and over...
and over and over and over and over...
Seriously, my friend is a phenomenal drummer, records and tours with large worship teams (Soul Survivor Canada, UK, etc...) He said the first time he went into the studio he though he was hot stuff, and he was told by the studio techs to go practice with a metronome.
Answer:
Originally Posted by saiyaman oh, and the problem is that we're working at different speeds.
Then you just need to decide who is right. I like to trust my drummer for the majority of the beat consistancy, but still i'm able to control small changes in tempo in pre-planned places.
Answer:
In a band setting, everyone should be able to keep time perfectly. There is no central rhythm keeper, everyone is in time all the time (ideally). You should be able to start a soft ballad with just the pianist, or have the drummer count in, or have the lead guitarist break into a high-energy song with a lead riff. If you depend on one person to base your timing off of, when that person screws up your timing (and song) is pooched.
Rules to keep in mind:
1. A consistent beat derives from you, not anyone else.
2. Tempo changes derive from the designated leader, who should be indicating these changes ahead of time.
Answer:
btw depending on the sound equipment you have you might be able to put clicks in the monitor, it helps some people
Answer:
do sectionals with the "dr. beat" many times the drang in the tempo comes in parts people are not very secure with playing. put bass and drums together to practice, the electrics,and the keys and acoustic
Rach