Keeping steady beat

[maestro1987]

Hi! My main problem is inability to keep steady beat. I can tap, clap etc and have no problem to understand note values but seem to forget how long for example I choose quarte note to be. Counting seems to help a little bit, but it's not strict enough. Does anybody give some tips how to feel internal pulse?

[go12_3]

You could try the "tic-tic-tic" in your mind  as you play. Each "tic" is a beat.
I do that for my students that have problems in keeping a steady beat.
Or think  the word,on the quarter notes, "walk, "  then for the eighth notes,
think the word,  "run" , for the half notes, "hold,"  as you play a passage you have
a problem with.   If there are 4 eighth notes, you think, "run-run-run-run." 

[peterjmathis]

You could try using a metronome.

[maestro1987]

I tried both methods and these seem to work quite well.  About metronome...how to avoid becoming dependent on it?

[pianisten1989]

You will notice when you don't need it anymore

[peterjmathis]

I wouldn't worry too much about becoming dependent on it. You'll naturally become accustomed to the beats as you practice with it, which will make you better even when you aren't using it.

[indianajo]

This comes naturally to some people, to others emotions interfere, some people just can't feel it. I was shocked matriculating from an all-state high school program than ran rock steady unless the director felt a change emotionally interesting, that my college band picked as the bass drum player a guy that couldn't keep a steady beat.  I turned in my uniform after 3 weeks.  Hope your teacher can help you. 

[maestro1987]

I used metronome at home and imagined tic-tic-tic in my head which made a huge difference. My teacher was impressed today. Thank you for good advice! 

[go12_3]

I used metronome at home and imagined tic-tic-tic in my head which made a huge difference. My teacher was impressed today. Thank you for good advice! 

You are most welcome   

[peterjmathis]

Glad to help