Hi All,

I was wondering what techniques could be used to help rhythmic issues where metronomes (and similar things, clicking, clapping, untuned percussion, etc.) can't be used. The I realised I already knew some So I thought maybe this would be useful to someone else (as a teacher/student/etc.)

This is what I've thought of so far:

Car Expert: I promise I'm not trying to steal your job!

Saying rhythms (ti-tika etc.)
?Swaying?
Toe-tapping (without sound)
Walking while playing (obviously better suited to some instruments than others)

Learning to dance would probably help develop a stronger sense of rhythm although it probably wouldn't be terribly useful for more specific rhythmic problem solving. Would be useful for time signatures, though, and probably for tempo.

I also had an idea about a visual representation of the beat, but I can't think of anything which utilises this apart from old-style metronomes which are out of the question anyway. So if anyone knows of something, I'm very interested!

If anyone has anything to add to my list it would be much appreciated!

No problem!

I was going to suggest walking before reading your post, but it's already on your list, but I can't think of anything else at the moment.

Car Expert

I find that walking is good for sorting out those tricky timing problems.
Once you know the notes well enough then going out for a walk and thinking things through in time to your footsteps is really useful.

Learn drums
But seriously, I did and now I can keep time better than I used to be able to and consequently I find ensemble playing easier than most people.

My rhythm sense is really bad. That's probably why I'm so lousy at sight-reading; I can read the notes just about correctly but the rhythm goes out of the window.

One thing my teacher told me was when counting a dotted-quaver to a semiquaver, I say "tai-fe" with the tai bit really long. It doesn't sound very useful when written down but I can use it, so...

I've heard that walking around helps with some instruments (obviously not for piano! )

Works for piano if you know more or less how something goes THEN go for a walk... that's what I do.
You can also walk around with the copy in your hands and work things out that way. Sorting out the rhythm/timing without having to think about playing the notes at the same time can really help.

I do that, just not usually on purpose!

Your pulse? SuzyMac help us!

I agree that's a good idea (kind of like learning to dance) but it was kind of one of the things I was trying to avoid putting on the list (because it's an untuned percussion sound keep pulse).

So walking and saying rhythms are popular... Storini, that was a good thought about using your pulse but I suppose that would depend on what your pulse was?

I was thinking again about a visual aid, but perhaps that would interfere with music reading

Heehee - on cue

So long as your pulse is regular, and you're not too squeamish about looking/feeling for it, it's an excellent way of counting straight beats in time

Of course, you can't vary the speed on demand too easily!