Arhythmia?

[walker0611]

Hi all

I thought I might get some opinions here about whether I have a saxophonically fatal impairment or whether there might be a cure.

I have been learning for about three months now, and switched from alto to tenor a couple of weeks ago. Mostly things seem to be going ok (still struggling sometimes with the lowest notes on the tenor but reckon I can work that out). What I do seem to be struggling with though is the rhythmic side of things, particularly when things start to get a bit complicated like with relatively complex sequences including dotted notes. It seems I can either count the rhythm or play the right notes (ok so not necessarily in the right order), but not both at the same time. When playing along with CDs I am OK after a couple of run-throughs to play along with the sax line, but as soon as I go to the 'minus 1' tracks' I tend to get lost, especially with those backings that do not have a clear beat (is that the word - a clear 1,2,3,4 drum line).

Now I plan to be in this for life, so if it is just a matter of sticking with it I'm up for that, but mostly I have managed to work things out and this just isn't coming. Will it? Or are there some people who simply don't have that rhythm thing and should pack up now? I might add that I'm generally pretty co-ordinated if that is any pointer.

[cleger]

I think this is one of the most common problems with beginning players, I'm still struggling with it myself. I have improved since I started in this area but I still run into problems now and then. My sax instructor once wrote on a piece of music that I was struggling with, "feel the swing, don't think swing". I think that applies to this issue and will come with time and practice.

As far as losing the beat on some backings that is something else that I struggle with, particularly with some Aebersold backings. Again, that will come with time and practice.

If you have only been at this for 3 months I wouldn't worry too much about any "fatal" impairments, you've only just begun.

[kcp]

To answer your original question: Yes there are people who have a harder time gasping the concept of rythym but as cleger says, I wouldn't worry so much since you're only starting-out. Give it some time and practice.

Even if it turns-out you have some degree of "Arhythmia", it can still be overcome. Work with a metronome. And for me, what I find helps is taking the time to study difficult rythmic passages by marking with a pencil the down-beats and the off-beats (with a down or up arrow) above the staff. Start-off slowly, singing the rhythm and tapping your foot, feeling every down and up beats.

Your instinct might want to learn the rhytmic part by ear, but that's a bad habbit, you won't be helping yourself. Make a point of understanding/making yourself aware of what goes-on rhytmically. Finally, don't be too hard on yourself and don't worry so much about the notes; one thing at a time - Chances are that once you'll master the rhythm, the notes will come along by themselves.

[Pinnman]

You have to:
1. read the notes
2. count the rhythm
3. breathe in the right places (and in the right way)
4. control your embouchure
5. remember which key is which (not forgetting the octave key); and
6. keep cool

All of which takes time even when you practice every day. Don't panic yet - not for a year or two at least.

And beware reaching a plateau, and then thinking you are on the slide. This happens often and, just as you despair, you find you have moved on to a new plateau. THis is a cycle which repeats itself forever.

Good luck!

[walker0611]

Thanks for the encouragement guys - I'll just keep soldiering on for a year or ten (nothing if not keen - just got home and busy trying to note down the accents in Desafinado while cooking dinner!)

[Pinnman]

If you can play Desafinado after three months, don't stop! You're definitely on the way. (And if you can't, don't worry.)

[walker0611]

Thanks, but sadly it's only the easy version in the "Take the Lead" book - the notes are pretty straightforward but even then the rhythm seems damned tricky to really get hold of - every note seems to have a different weight to it and I can't get hold of why the demo seems to 'swing' even though the notes are to be played straight - I suspect I'm getting concepts mixed up here and need to do a bit more reading and a bit less blowing.

[jazzbluescat]

......It seems I can either count the rhythm or play the right notes (ok so not necessarily in the right order), but not both at the same time. .......
Not to sound over-simplistic, but you just need to learn to count while you're playing. Learn and get the time internalized, so that you'll know exactly what and where you're at; even if you play the wrong note you'll still know exactly where the right note should've been(as well as knowing what the right note should've been, of course). Something like that:). Work with a metronome.