DesertDog
1 post
Jun 29, 2009
5:45 PM
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Anyone have any suggestions on how to keep time when standing? Or maybe pointers to earlier posts? I tap my foot when sitting, but find that awkward when standing. When I watch YouTube videos of Little Walter it almost looks like he's doing a little dance, but I haven't been able to decode what he's doing. Any ideas would be appreciated!
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gorignak
53 posts
Jun 29, 2009
5:52 PM
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Welcome to the forum!
I just dance :)
It's not really a dance, but a moving/twisting of the shoulders and upper body. If I get more into it my feet start the go. Then if I'm really digging the groove I find myself fully dancing!
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RyanMortos
217 posts
Jun 29, 2009
7:05 PM
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I tend to stomp down the beat as opposed to tapping it out when standing. It occasionally comes out more dancey like gorignak mentioned.
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~Ryan
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
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snakes
279 posts
Jun 29, 2009
7:48 PM
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My guess is to just relax and feel the music.
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DutchBones
212 posts
Jun 30, 2009
12:03 AM
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I put my body weight on one foot and I tap with the other one... feels comfortable (of course I shift from time to time)
and welcome to the forum!
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DutchBones Tube
Last Edited by on Jun 30, 2009 12:03 AM
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Kingley
139 posts
Jun 30, 2009
12:49 AM
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Kim Wilson does a kind of march thing to keep time.
Some people tap their foot, some sway, some dance, some nod their head, some do all of those things at once.
It's really just a question of trying some things out and seeing what works best for you.
Funniest thing I ever saw was a drummer who had a metronome with a flashing light fitted on his rack to help him keep time. He would switch it on and then spend ages setting it to the correct tempo. Then he would just ignore it and speed up like a maniac! It always made me laugh, although obviously it wasn't good from a musical standpoint! :)
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harmonicanick
309 posts
Jun 30, 2009
1:21 AM
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Before you tap or jump or whatever you have to relax and feel the music as snakes said
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mickil
303 posts
Jun 30, 2009
2:36 AM
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I listen like hell to the rhythm section, which I suppose is another way of saying 'feel the music'.
But, it should be the drums and bass keeping the groove. The guitar is more at liberty to 'go off on one'.
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'If it sounds GOOD to you, it's bitchen; if it sounds BAD to YOU, it's shitty' - Frank Zappa
http://www.youtube.com/user/SlimHarpMick
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sopwithcamels266
156 posts
Jun 30, 2009
2:41 AM
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DesertDog:welcome
I think the answer to your question is most aptly demonstated by Nat Riddles introducing blues TV thing.(its on utube)
Probably the last 2 intros he does at the end.
There are two fundermental observations with that clip for a harp player or on any instrument, one is time, and the other?
Check it out the site owner Kudzurunner put me onto him, it was one of Kudzurunners mentors
Last Edited by on Jun 30, 2009 2:48 AM
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ElkRiverHarmonicas
53 posts
Jun 30, 2009
4:15 AM
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I have the same issue. I tap with my knee, kind of a rhythmic lock and unlock thing.
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Preston
442 posts
Jun 30, 2009
7:17 AM
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Hell, most of the time I can't keep time when setting let alone standing!
I can count my way through a 12 bar blues when I'm NOT playing or singing (standing or sitting), but when I pick up the harp and try to play while counting time I screw BOTH up. The good news is I can "feel" when it is time to make a change while I am playing, so I rally don't need to count during a 12 bar blues, it's just something I've learned to do subconsciously.
I know it is definetely an area of my playing that I need to really work on so that I can keep time in my head.
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ChrisA
27 posts
Jun 30, 2009
7:55 AM
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I rock my head while playing 1 and 3 on the right, 2 and 4 on the left, always the same, plus i have spent countless hours counting everything i listened to, to the point where i can separate the counting on one hand and the listening on the other, very helpful.
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DesertDog
2 posts
Jul 01, 2009
6:23 PM
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OK sopwithcamels266 I give up what's the second fundamental observation besides time?
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oldwailer
801 posts
Jul 01, 2009
6:38 PM
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Just play--if some stuff doesn't start to move around after a couple of measures, you haven't got the groove yet.
If you have to wonder how to keep time with what body part, you haven't got the groove yet.
If all else fails, just follow the drummer--if he doesn't have the groove, you're screwed anyway.
When I watch some players play standing I always think they keep time with their dicks--you gotta be well hung to pull that off though, so you can get the right leg swinging in unison. . .
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scstrickland
104 posts
Jul 01, 2009
6:51 PM
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lol. that was funny OW
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MagicPauley57
54 posts
Jul 03, 2009
5:33 PM
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time to boogie ! i don't care what i do so long as It rocks get into the moment and play and F%$#K do it!
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Miles Dewar
383 posts
Jul 04, 2009
5:27 AM
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Keep time using your heel and bend one knee.
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---Go Chicago Bears!!!---
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Skeet
6 posts
Jul 04, 2009
7:16 AM
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I agree with oldwailer - Just play. I keep better time standing up. Let the music and the mood determine the moves. Sometimes I end up bobbing my head, sometimes bending my knee, sometimes my shoulders, and when I'm really getting into it the whole top half of my body is rocking up and down. Just go with the flow. The only time I find myself focusing on time is when I'm playing slow. You gotta find what works for you. After a while it'll just come natural.
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