A question for musicians

[Tobin S.]

I can play the guitar a little and I've tried lessons a couple of times. My problem is that I don't seem to have any rhythm. I have a difficult time keeping time for more than a minute, and sometimes not even that long. I have never been able to play with other musicians because of this. Can rhythm be taught or is it just something you have to possess naturally?

[Symarip]

1. I had terrible rhythm

Practice part of the time with a metronome and exercise different patterns - triplets, eighth notes, emphasis on upbeats and down beats, etc. You'll find you'll become a better player overall, not just in beat patterns.

Or

Find a drummer who's willing to work with you.

Everyone has rhythm, you just need to find yours. Once you get it, it's easy to hold on to.

[Tobin S.]

2. Thanks

I was thinking about buying a guitar this weekend and trying again. I would love to be able to play for people and with other musicians. It seems like if I had that, I would always have something good in my life.

[old mark]

3. TS. Play along with recorded music that you know - you will get it.

If you can tap your foot, you can play music.
Playing with music that you are familiar with will allow you to relax and just go with it - playing along with unfamiliar music is great for ear training, but that's for the future.
Take is slow, stick with basics and don't worry about it or treat it as a job.
Keep it fun.

Good luck.

mark
(I have been playing since about 1959 and still am not where I want to be - but I'm getting it.)

[Tobin S.]

5. Thanks, Mark

This is the crazy trucker formerly known as Droopy. Had to ditch that handle. :)

I think I'd better try some easy listening or something like that first. The kind of music I like sounds like the guitarists are using a drill with a three pick bit. The drummers aren't satisfied with one bass drum, they have to have two. :) I've liked metal since I was 15 or so, but I'll try playing along with some alternative. I like that stuff, too.

[old mark]

7. Play along with what you like and what you know, just for the feel of it.

Get some old Blue Oyster Cult/Buck Dharma Band music, or older Cream. If you can't find the beat to that, try crochet....

I think your change of name was a great idea.
Good luck with it!

mark

ADDED: I am still working on several Neil Young songs that must be near 40 years old.
I warm up with Johnny Ramone/the Ramones doing "Do You Wanna Dance" live you Youtube - watch his hands.DeeDee's Bass and Markey's drumming will help you a lot. There are a lot of live Ramones on youtube. Hard to miss the count with them....
Some things are simple but they aren't easy.

[Rabrrrrrr]

4. I'm no brain doctor, but I believe rhythm is a very teachable thing. It just takes practice.

Though I suppose there are some people who have neurological dysfunctions that make keeping a steady rhythm impossible.

My friends and I often like to sing "Girl Crazy" song "I got Rhythm" as arrhythmically as possible.

Here's a truly corny (though unfortunately rhythmic) version of it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FK62pW35GIw

[Tobin S.]

6. Man, that's bad :)

And to think they were on the charts at about the time Jimi Hendrix was making a name for himself.