tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048025771349159983.post2933630001978386465..comments2023-10-26T05:07:05.391-04:00Comments on Beyond the Notes: Ditch the small beats!Erica Ann Sipeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13526622607656348353noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048025771349159983.post-55884514446536479932013-01-28T22:22:56.983-05:002013-01-28T22:22:56.983-05:00Oh my goodness, yes, Robert! It's so true tha...Oh my goodness, yes, Robert! It's so true that most people stop moving when they've lost touch with the pulse. And those moments usually signal another problem, whether it be a question of notes, fingering, insecurity about pitch, whatever...<br /><br />And don't get me started about the whole not-moving thing. I just don't get that!! I certainly couldn't maintain that for very long. But to each their own, I suppose.<br /><br />EricaErica Ann Sipeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13526622607656348353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048025771349159983.post-82739144434037999702013-01-26T21:21:52.377-05:002013-01-26T21:21:52.377-05:00Absolutely! My piano teacher used to say he could...Absolutely! My piano teacher used to say he could tell when I was about to mess up a performance when I would stop moving along with the music. There's nothing quite like a solid groove that makes you want to dance along with the music!<br /><br />This reminds me, I knew a clarinetist whose teacher told her NOT to move with the music, that any unnecessary motion was basically wasted energy. Personally I think it would take more energy to repress the desire to move with the music. On the other hand one of the most energetic, fun bands I've ever seen told us that they used to just stand on the stage and play their music but over time developed into a lot more dancing to make a better show for the audience and encourage people to dance. That's a different style than classical of course, but I think they make a good point that if the performer is seen being literally moved by the music that communicates to the audience.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15405737179408345590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048025771349159983.post-14984180981805085362013-01-20T17:14:40.136-05:002013-01-20T17:14:40.136-05:00Robert,
It sounds like you're just who we need...Robert,<br />It sounds like you're just who we need to help start a rhythm revolution! I'm determined to help folks with figuring out rhythm since it seems so many are really intimidated by the whole subject. I avoided the more tedious approach that you describe for a long time and went instead for guesstimating but once I started collaborating with others more and getting paid to do so I realized that wouldn't fly anymore. And now that I'm working with a lot of students I'm trying to figure out how I can help them . Like you mentioned, I think it does depend on the person and their particular learning styles but it is so worth it to figure all that out. I think people would enjoy music so much more if they could get into the groove of music whether it's classical, jazz, blues, country...rhythm is so essential, isn't it?<br /><br />Thanks for reading and for commenting!<br /><br />All the best,<br />EricaErica Ann Sipeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13526622607656348353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048025771349159983.post-82055521525791344582013-01-20T16:10:37.410-05:002013-01-20T16:10:37.410-05:00This has me thinking of teaching my cousin rhythm....This has me thinking of teaching my cousin rhythm. I began trying to explain the concepts (how to do the simple math himself) in as many ways as I could think to but none of it seemed to stick and finally when he was still just guesstimating I caved and we began working with the smallest subdivisions. I thought it might be too tedious and lose his interest but he clicked with this approach and could tell when he was on the mark or not.<br /><br />It feels like different learning styles. I'm good at top down, understanding concepts easily and then having to go through the particulars applying the concept, and for him it might be easier to experience the particulars and then come to an understanding of the concepts. At least, that's what I'm hoping will happen!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15405737179408345590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048025771349159983.post-66090181475310255912012-05-15T21:12:21.846-04:002012-05-15T21:12:21.846-04:00Thank you for your comments, Anonymous. You are s...Thank you for your comments, Anonymous. You are so right - that many people just guess when it comes to rhythm. I'm always telling the folks that do this that it really is just simple math and that it is worth it to take the time to figure it out before attempting anything. <br /><br />All the best,<br />EricaErica Ann Sipeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13526622607656348353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048025771349159983.post-299886707929926022012-05-15T13:41:25.536-04:002012-05-15T13:41:25.536-04:00It's funny but I find that many people don'...It's funny but I find that many people don't focus enough on the small beats and their sense of rhythm is almost non-existent. They go by what they've heard before on the radio or just play from one big beat to the next, without understanding the in-betweens.<br /><br />I agree wholeheartedly that an approach that uses ALL the possibilities is essential for an informed and musical performance.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com