rhythmic independence exercises 1

6A. Rhythmic Independence Exercises 1

Each piece of music contains a multitude of rhythmic elements. These must be seen both individually and relative to their context. Classical piano players and drummers train the independent use and coordination of their hands and feet. Rhythmic independence and coordination are also essential for bass players. I distinguish between three levels of independence:

the brain (this is the control center: it monitors the metronome clicks or the drummer, counts the beats, stores and recalls rhythmic patterns, etc.)

the hands (these operate largely synchronous, however, the following exercises call for independent motion to get a physical feel for rhythmic coordination)

the feet (these serve as a physical extension of the beat indicated by the metronome or the brain respectively, they tap the pulse providing rhythmic comparison)

To develop rhythmic independence let’s start with some tapping exercises. You should be familiar with the notation from the first lessons of my book. Tap the red upper line with your right hand and the blue lower line with your left hand on a tabletop, for instance, while your foot taps the quarter beats. Initially, keep the metronome clicking to prevent irregular timing, and don’t forget to count along!

Exercise 1:

Set the metronome to approximately 60bpm and try this:

picture

You’ll probably realize that it’s quite hard to keep your hands and the foot going independently. Play these exercises carefully and regularly to develop your "groove instinct". I recommend to save up to 10 minutes of your daily schedule for independence exercises.

Exercise 2:

Rhythmische Unabhängigkeitsübungen 1B

Exercise 3:

This one’s a real brain twister:

Rhythmische Unabhängigkeitsübungen 1C

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