Do you count while you play??

[casparma]

Hi, I am wondering, do you people count along the rhythm while playing...

I was wondering whether my way of playing is correct or not..

Honestly, I rarely count along the rhythm, but instead, my right hand's rhythm sort of goes right in accompany with the left hand... and I usually play the rhythm as I feel it... I dont count..


do you people count??

[Floristan]

Whenever I learn a new piece, I always count out loud (usually sing/count).  It's one of the disciplines I learned from my teacher, a step my teacher thinks is important -- to count out loud when first learning a piece, playing hands separate, and then when first playing hands together.

I also count out loud whenever I feel I'm having rhythm difficulties with a piece I've partially learned.  It helps to slow me down and focus during practice, if I'm having particular difficulty with a passage.

From counting out loud I've learned I don't have such a great internal sense of rhythm after all (I thought I did).  Counting helps me control my otherwise rather wayward sense of rhythm.  Counting helps me be precise.  Even if the ultimate goal is rubato (as with Chopin), counting is important in the beginning to give one a clear sense of the pulse of a piece.

It's just part of the learning process for me.  Others may have different experiences.

[steve jones]

Actually, no, I dont. Maybe I should, not sure. When ever I feel Im having rhythm trouble I set up a click track - seems to help alot.

[classicarts]

I always count.  You should too.

[steve jones]

Classicarts,

Question is, how do you count as swear contiuously at the same time (as I often find myself doing while practicing  )?

[maryruth]

I use the metronome at first and then I usually tap my foot (especially if I'm accompaning) --so yes, I do count.  I count less as I know the piece more because the beat usually becomes ingrained eventually.

[happyface94]

Not unless there are silences or long phrases. Or if I'm playing with another instrument.

[Bouter Boogie]

Not unless there are silences or long phrases. Or if I'm playing with another instrument.

I agree with that

- BB

[frida1]

I think it is important to know that you can count the rhythm.  I notice that when first counting, even if I know the notes, it's difficult at first to play and count at the same time.  I think that improves your control.

I also notice the benefits of counting when playing duets.   Even if my own rhythm is good without counting, I can still get confused when playing with the other person if not counting.

Personally, I think that you should be able to play a piece in perfect time, even if you decide to alter it.

[BoliverAllmon]

I use to just "feel" it until I went to an audition and they told me to tape myself and get a Metronome and when I started working with another pianist with duet stuff. You can't just feel it you have to be perfect in ensemble stuff.  I count while playing always now. Whether it is aloud in the beginning or rhythmical breathing when things get faster, there is always some sort of counting going on.

[infectedmushroom]

I only count if it's a piece for a duet or something, or a piece played in a band.


When I play solo pieces I don't count. I mostly play along with the original version of it and sometimes I play it more slowly or faster, if I think that adds something cool to the song.