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Topic: Improving Rhythm (Read 3266 times)

evannn

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Posts: 16

Improving Rhythm

on: April 12, 2016, 12:00:22 PM

Hi everyone

I was wondering if anyone knew of any ways to improve your rhythm? Perhaps any exercises, or ideal pieces?

I can play a few fairly technically demanding pieces, but my rhythm sucks. For example, I could learn one of Beethoven's easier sonatas (bottom 10), no problem if the rhythm isn't too demandubg. Yet I struggle with Mozart's Sonata K545 (only looked at first movement), simply because of the rhythm.

At the moment I try and learn a piece slow enough for me to count the beats without too much trouble, find the correct metronome marking for that slow speed, and then gradually speed it up. As soon as the metronomes gone though, I begin to make mistakes with the rhythm. I tried just speeding up without a metronome, but I end up speeding up too rapidly, from say 70bpm to 100bpm.

So I'm looking for any pieces that aren't technically demanding (around Mozarts K545 sonata), yet would be good to improve my rhythm. Or perhaps if any composers like czerny or hanon etc did exercises specific for rhythm, or if you know of any exercises?

Thanks for your time, it'll be a great help!
Evan.

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brogers70

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Posts: 1776

Re: Improving Rhythm

Reply #1 on: April 12, 2016, 12:07:51 PM

Not sure about pieces to recommend, but there are other things that may help with rhythm. Learn some kind of rhythmic dance, ballroom, contra dancing, something like that. Sing in a choir. Play in an amateur recorder group (if you didn't learn to play the recorder in elementary school it doesn't matter, you can teach yourself the basics in a couple of days), sing along with recordings. Any or all of those things may make rhythm come more naturally to you.

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timothy42b

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Posts: 3414

Re: Improving Rhythm

Reply #2 on: April 12, 2016, 12:09:02 PM

You need to internalize a consistent pulse.

Many struggle with it. A brass playing friend of mine has an approach he says helps. I haven't tried it myself but I don't have this problem.

Here it is, two parts.

1. Buy a cheap wind-up clock that ticks. Over time that steady tick will absorb into your unconscious. About $10 at walmart.

2. Sit in a rocking chair to read or study. It must be the kind with curved rockers, not the pivot kind. Rockers force you to their natural resonance, while the slung pivot can be rocked at any speed.

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Tim

quantum

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Posts: 6279

Re: Improving Rhythm

Reply #3 on: April 12, 2016, 12:15:00 PM

As an extension of what timothy42b suggested, practice rhythm while walking. Most people have a steady and stable pulse when walking. Practice rhythmic exercises within that stable framework.

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Made a Liszt. Need new Handel's for Soler panel & Alkan foil. Will Faure Stein on the way to pick up Mendels' sohn. Josquin get Wolfgangs Schu with Clara. Gone Chopin, I'll be Bach

evannn

PS Silver Member
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Posts: 16

Re: Improving Rhythm

Reply #4 on: April 12, 2016, 12:19:54 PM

Quote from: quantum on April 12, 2016, 12:15:00 PM

As an extension of what timothy42b suggested, practice rhythm while walking. Most people have a steady and stable pulse when walking. Practice rhythmic exercises within that stable framework.

Seems like a good idea

I remember years ago in army cadets, always being pulled out of drill marches for 1-1 help on my marching, I was always out of step, haha!

Quote from: timothy42b on April 12, 2016, 12:09:02 PM

You need to internalize a consistent pulse.

This is what I struggle with, I'll see if I can get a similar method to the one you suggested. While I struggle to play in time, I can hear when something is out of rhythm, which is a start I guess

Thanks for your help

any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

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quantum

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Posts: 6279

Re: Improving Rhythm

Reply #5 on: April 12, 2016, 01:42:41 PM

One of my first year university courses we practiced walking/marching to rhythmic patterns. We did that for a good solid 6 months.

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Made a Liszt. Need new Handel's for Soler panel & Alkan foil. Will Faure Stein on the way to pick up Mendels' sohn. Josquin get Wolfgangs Schu with Clara. Gone Chopin, I'll be Bach

xdjuicebox

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Posts: 281

Re: Improving Rhythm

Reply #6 on: April 14, 2016, 05:00:55 AM

Despite what it's called, I DON'T think k545 is easy. Well it might be easy note-wise, but oh my god I have the same problem playing everything even without rushing. I kind of cheat and just nod my head to keep track of time, or I tap my left foot, but then I look stupid.

Try using your breathing! That works for me somewhat. Breathe in time, be in time...?

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I am trying to become Franz Liszt. Trying. And failing.

timothy42b

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Posts: 3414

Re: Improving Rhythm

Reply #7 on: April 14, 2016, 11:57:28 AM

Quote from: xdjuicebox on April 14, 2016, 05:00:55 AM

I kind of cheat and just nod my head to keep track of time, or I tap my left foot, but then I look stupid.

I don't think it is possible to stay in time without some accompanying physical motion, even if it is slight.

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Tim

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