Klarinet Archive - Posting 000026.txt from 1999/09

From: David Blumberg <reedman@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] re: poor rhythm
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 1999 18:41:25 -0400

"Benjamin Maas" <benmaas@-----.com> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 1999 12:28:25
-0700 Subject: [kl] Another Teaching question (rhythm) Since we've had so
many teaching questions lately, I figure I'd ask another.... I have a
student who just entered 7th grade. He has been studying sax with me for
about 10 months by now. He is extremely dedicated and a joy to teach.
HOWEVER, he has absolutely no sense of pulse, time, beat, etc... I work
with him with metronomes doing rhythmic exercises from rhythm books on a
regular basis. Part of his practice schedule is to practice rhythm without
the horn in his mouth (counting, etc...). We then work on things like
scales using these rhythms we have just worked on. Over the past few
months, we have gotten to the point where he is doing ok with the
exercises, but if he sees the exact same rhythm in a piece, he falls apart.
He is consciencious, but the fact is he can't follow the metronome to save
his life. If the horn is in his hands (not in his mouth), he can hardly
even count with the metronome. He has a great sound, his technique is
building slowly (he has only played for a year), and is a great kid. I just
wish I could bring his rhythm up to the level of everything else in his
playing. --Ben Benjamin Maas Freelance Clarinetist and Recording Engineer
Los Angeles, CA benmaas@-----.com

-----------------------------------
Ben,
I have come to the conclusion that Rhythm is genetic (kid can't count, bet
the parents can't either.). Have him write out the rhythms, and be able to
say them. Don't give up, he will get better, but some students with poor
rhythm have a handicap, just got to work around it. Try using midi as a
rhythmic metronome - the plain click is hard to follow in itself, with
music around it, the student can see where he gets behind or ahead.
(suggested to a recording engineer ;)

David Blumberg
playit@-----.com
Custom Accompaniment CD's http://www.mytempo.com

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