Questions About Richmans Book

[Vanillawafer]

I've been reading a LOT of the posts on this forum for months now, and at the advise of many decided to pick up Richmans book in order to improve my horrible sight reading "skills" or lack there of.  I'm having a little trouble following the book, but understand that is common as it was not put together in a very orderly fashion.  Now one things I'm really confused on is the S.D. Drills... I can't find any mention in the book as to where/when these drills are to be done.  Are these drills done every day?  Do they need to become easy before moving on in the book?  Basically I just need to know how I should use the two pages of S.D. Drills.  Thanks for all the help, and thanks for a great forum!

[faulty_damper]

The SD drills are placed in the middle of the book binding, where the staples bind together. They are there so that it can be taken out of the book if need be.

I can't find any mention in the book as to where/when these drills are to be done.

They are there.  You need to read carefully.  If you did not read it carefully, like I did when I first picked up the book, it will not make sense.  You probably just skimmed through it looking for the quick answers.  Go back and read it carefully.  It will make much more sense.

[Vanillawafer]

Can you at least give me a page number?  Why does the explanation have to be hidden in the book <sigh>

[betricia]

hello vanilla wafer
What a lovely name.  I am so glad you posted as I too have just bought and received the Richman book from Amazon and am working slowly through it.  My query is different however.  In the very first drill on page 20 he says to go through each example counting.  Well yes OK until I get to example 3.  Then I still say 1 for the quaver beat where I had been saying it for the crochet beat.  Now my timing or rhythm seems all wrong.  How many counts for a crochet?  2?  How many for a minum then.  I am confused and have only just started the book!
Help appreciated please.
Thanks
Patricia
 

[betricia]

Forgot to say Vanilla wafer,  The drills you are looking for are on pages 24 and 25.
Patricia
 

[Vanillawafer]

Thanks Betricia, I figured out that those S.D. drills are not sued until later in the book, and like the previous person mentioned he put them there smack in the middle for easy removal... confusing!  I too was/am confused on the Rhythm Drill you mentioned, but what I did (not sure if it is right) was just say for example the note was a half note.  half note = 4 eight notes, and the eight notes = 1, for a total of a 4 count.  Not sure if this is right, and also not sure as to what value it adds, but I too am confused... urgh, not a good start to this book... very confusing!

[betricia]

Anyone else could help me on the timing issue?  It is probably dead simple but I like to say the counts in my head or out loud and for the quavers I am trying to shorten the beat but the numbering that Richman confuses me.  On the first examples he has a count of 1 for the crochets and 2 on the mimims which I expected.  then he changes and gives a 1 beat to the quaver and a 2 beat to the crochet.  I am being extremely thick I know but I do need help and do want to make use of Richman.
Thanks
Patricia
 

[betricia]

One last cry for help please.
 

[faulty_damper]

His method of counting is confusing if you are not used to it.  You do not necessarily have to use his method of counting, though it may actually be easier than using the " 1 e + a" method since it removes the "e + a" to just " 1 2 3 4.

just subdivide it so that a
quaver = 1
crochet = 1, 2

OR it can also be

crochet = 1
minim = 1, 2

Just take the shortest time value in the drills and give it a 1 count.  So if the shortest value is a
demisemiquaver = 1
semiquaver = 1, 2
quaver = 1, 2, 3, 4
crochet = 1, 2, ,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

[betricia]

Thank you very much Faulty Damper.  I had given the book up for the moment as I felt it was not helpful.  I will use your suggestions and see how that works.
Patricia
 

[faulty_damper]

You are welcome.