I have been trying to improve my (piano) sight reading and my main stumbling block is the rhythm. Although, in theory, I know the note values this all goes out the window when it gets even a little bit complicated. Is there any software (or sites) where you can enter a rhythm and then hear it played back so I could know whether I got it right or not? Or any other tips? Thanks!

Try this: http://www.teoria.com/exercises/measure.htm



I also have a "Improve Your Aural!" CD by Paul Harris and John Lenehan (Faber Music) - available in different grades.

This web site looks like it might be useful:
http://www.therhythmtrainer.com/
"The Rhythm Trainer is a free, Flash-based program for learning and practicing rhythm. There are two types of exercises; A Mode, where you click in the rhythm you hear, and B Mode, where you see a rhythm and choose the sound that matches. "

This suggests that it is not lack of rhythm, but limitations in the skill of realising the ryhthms in arm/hand/finger movements. Lots of slow practice is the answer, and general improvement as a pianist.

If you get the chance, then playing in ensembles (or even duets) helps to correct wayward variations in basic tempo, and rhythmic inaccuracies.

Thanks for these links - I've just had a quick go on them and I've bookmarked as they both seem very useful

What you mustn't do is try to learn Gershwin's 'I got Rhythm!' Not yet anyway !

I'm having a bit of an enforced break from practice at the moment, coughing, sneezing and blocked sinuses are making the saxes a bit too much like hard work. What I am doing is sitting down with a metronome and one of the pieces I'm working on and singing/clapping through the syncopated rhythms gradually increasing the speed on the metronome. My personal challenge is to do this with the metronome set to click on 2 and 4 (it's a swing thing!) but you can set it to whatever works for your piece. When you take away the complications of finding the right notes, fingerings etc you can concentrate solely on the challenge of getting the rhythm together and hopefully build up your rhythmic skills to the same level as your other musical skills.

Funny - I haven't tried this for a while, but I think I might find it more difficult than playing! Actually playing the tune means you 'know how it goes' and can recognise familair rhythmi patterns in context.

I'm sure it's a good idea - I just think I would find it tough!

Nick

This won't be useful until the near future, but try http://www.musictheory.net

Thanks for all the suggestions!

Dear Tortellini,
There are two little downloads, written in C++. The first is called metronome, which is a metronome, but in it's advanced setting it allows you to introduce upto 12 minipulses per beat. Each minipulse is on and offable. When they are off they leave a timed silence. Start at about 12 bpm and experiment.

The second programme is called Rhythm16. Basically, it is similar to metronome, but it allows you to produce upto 16 consecutive beats, each with individually set minipulses, so you can mimic practically any rhythm. You can use the beats either as beats or measures. Resetting commences when it reaches the beggining.

Both are on the homepage of santalumalbum.co.uk

I found them reasonable for undestanding triplets whilst keeping tempo.

This thread is really useful, i'm having the exact same problems

Some really good advice here!

PSL

I have similar problems with sight reading and recently have been recording myself counting (with a metronome for accuracy) and playing to that. It is better than a metronome alone because you know exactly what beat you are on (or supposed to be on).

You can also record youself actually saying the rhythms (e.g. one, two three and a, four...). It seems to be helping me a lot.

As a learner myself I defenetly know what you are going through. I don;t know whether this helps but I draw both clefs and practice placing and memorising the notes on each. I tend to think of it lke the alphabet you know each note is like that. I also play through very slowley many unfamiliar but simple peices even though I dont always get it right, i find that my recognition of notes becomes a little easier over time. Also it couldtake a while depending on the person. Don't worry its something that we all struggle with and the best thingto do is just keepworking at it it will come in time. Good luck!

I use Finale Notepad, it's a free download and you can enter in the notes to hear the rhythm and see what it should sound like. I use it to practice duets with my computer!

When practising rhythm, I always start slow to make sure I got the rhythm and to get my fingers on the right note, then I slowly increase my speed. I got a book called "Improve your Sight Reading Violin grade 5" by Paul Harris. They have it for piano as well, it's a great exercise book for rhythm.

Thanks everyone - and a big thanks to Violin111 - that's just what I need