Meter Matters
Published January 28, 2004
Speaking for myself, I have played a number of shows with musicians of less than perfect time. When I was studying with Kai, I asked him pretty much point blank how he deals with other musicians that have meter issues. He commiserated with me, relating to me a few stories about how he has had to deal with it over the years. But basically, we both try to solve the same problem in a similar fashion: If other people are rushing, simplify the bass line and drive home the beat; if they drag, add in some more notes to make things feel faster. Do this for a while (like three or four measures) and if they don't catch on, go with it as best you can for the song and then have a chat with the other musician(s) when you get a chance.
If the band is comprised of people with innate good meter, the tempo issue doesn't automatically go away — each member of the band has to be able to listen to the other musicians to make sure the meter is in sync. When that happens one of the more critical housekeeping elements of making music takes care of itself. The more in tune each member of the group is to the shared tempo, the more relaxed everyone is and the more organic the music becomes. And that's when the joy of playing begins to shine through.
- Meter Matters
- Published: January 28, 2004
- Type:
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Original
- Writer: Casper
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Thanks for the compliment. I do have to expose my techno-ignorance here, though. While I'm honored you have chosen to subscribe to the RSS feed, I have to ask: the arr-ess-ess what?
very interesting and informative Casper - you rule
Yeah Casper very cool for a confused musician like myself.
I am not particularly good at the instruments that I play, but I have always been a "solid" drummer. I have always been able to handle the beat, meter, tempo, but I would never blow anyone away with my flashy tricks and abilities or anything. Now I play guitar, but I play it more like a drummer, concentrating on rhythms after I get through the chords. I can also play a little bit of bass and an even littler bit of keys.
Anyway, I just recently got a copy of Fruity Loops, which is a software drum machine which let's you make drum beats, 64 beats at a time and at whatever tempo you choose. I never realized that I sped things up in certain sections until I started playing along with that for my recording sessions.
Anyway, I really enjoyed your post. And it has given me a lot to think about, especially in terms of counting. Sometimes I can just "memorize how I think it should go" but I would never be able to count it. Then playing with the beats, I realized a particular section would match up the first time through, then be off on the second time through before mirroring the beat again the third time through. Now, I just need to know how to count it.
Thanks.
Craig...
There's nothing quite like playing with a click track in a recording session to introduce humility to a musician. I've done it quite a few times, so I can understand what you mean about playing along with a computer. And thanks for the compliment.
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Wow, really quality post. I've subscribed to the RSS feed for your personal blog.