Rhythm!

This week on @yamahamusicusa #silentbass and @laklandbasses Friday, we continue the series on "What do I practice" with rhythm. I can hear some of u now, "I don't need this, I lock in with the drummer fine...". Ok, let's get one thing straight. While "locking in" is a skill and needed for playing, knowledge of rhythm goes WAY beyond that. Also, unless there is a conductor, no one locks into any one player. Each player understands rhythm and time and follows each other as a unit. Each player can "take the lead" at some point. Sometimes just momentarily. This gives the band and the groove "breath". U dig? Understanding rhythm and its relation to time allows you to be more original in your playing as you can purposefully juxtapose them to fit your ideas and the music...and do it ACCURATELY. Even when ur manipulating time. George Clinton says the beat is not a point. It's a trough. Sometimes ur in the middle, sometimes ur laying way back and other times ur way upfront. Knowing time allows a better understanding of these concepts and makes you a more interesting and responsive player. So, as usual..how? There are many books of rhythms available. Choose one (or PM me). Play the rhythms SLOWLY (like 50BPM if u believe in metronomes). Don't just be able to play the rhythms...UNDERSTAND THEM. Take a tune u know. Quantify the rhythm of the bassline. Write it out if u can, or find a transcription to analyze. Find out why it works with the rest of the player's lines. What is nice about this work is, while it can be tedious, its benefits apply themselves. You will be amazed how it improves your overall playing.  As always, I invite your insights. #yamahamusicusa #makewaves #uptonbassstringinstrumentcompany #pirastro #glasserny #laklandbasses #sitstrings #tsunamicables #philjonesbass #basslessons #remotelessons