lobematt Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 I've decided (or more had it pointed out to me on these forums!) that I need to be able to read music. I know the basics, as in can name the notes on the stave and I'm pretty sure I know whats what when it comes to the length of the note/rest. I've started on session one in the Major's Bootcamp and I do ok up until the last section where the rhythms get slightly more interesting and I really struggle to put it into practice. Has anyone got any tips on how to get over this little hurdle? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 Patience. Reading rhythms is a process that takes time and continnued practice to develop. Start with quarter notes and rests, then move onto eigth notes and rests and when you have mastered them, and only when you have mastered them, move on to 16ths. When you get onto 16th, you will soon realise that they are simply 8ths going by quicker and are actually quite easy to read. But the message is, TAKE YOUR TIME!! It will come. If you rush, you will not consolidate your learning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatback Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 That was the big obstacle for me as well. I found Rufus Reid's book 'The Evolving bassist' a godsend. The first part of the book is all reading rhythms using open strings only, so simplifying the problem. Book plus metronome and I was sorted in a few weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 The new Pat Petrillo DVD 'Learn to Read Rhythms Better',is good if you're starting out. It's primarily drum based but all the information is transferable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 I'd advise you to what I did and download a free program called Best Practice which allows you to play back the MP3s at a slower speed without altering the pitch. Some of the Major's pieces are much too fast for amateurs like me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51m0n Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 Isolate rhythm reading practice away from normal bass playing practice. Just read the rhythms for a good while (clapping like a demented happy clapper in the car helped me) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveK Posted July 27, 2011 Share Posted July 27, 2011 [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Modern-Reading-Text-All-Instruments/dp/0769233775"]Louis Bellson's Modern Reading Text in 4/4 [/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted July 27, 2011 Share Posted July 27, 2011 Another simple exercise is to take any chart of any type in any clef and just read the rhythms (i.e. don't worry about what the notes are just their time values). Tap them out on a table top - you can do this away from your bass. Time well spent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilmour Posted July 27, 2011 Share Posted July 27, 2011 I used to really struggle with Rhythms, and then I went on a Cuban percussion course and spent a lot of time reading nothing but rhythms, really, really helped. After a while you just start to recognise shapes and figures and know what they're going to sound like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lobematt Posted July 27, 2011 Author Share Posted July 27, 2011 Thanks for the replies. I think I'll try an check out one of them books, do they come with CDs? I appreciate the comments about it taking time and to have patience but if I don't know how to do something I don't think any amount of patience will make me learn it, I think I'll just still be stuck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlackAlice Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 [quote name='Bilbo' post='1318178' date='Jul 27 2011, 12:59 PM']Another simple exercise is to take any chart of any type in any clef and just read the rhythms (i.e. don't worry about what the notes are just their time values). Tap them out on a table top - you can do this away from your bass. Time well spent.[/quote] +1. I've also had problems with rhythms......notes individually fine, but when you get a mixture with ties it throws me. Going through a piece and tapping out the rhythm as Bilbo suggested has been a huge help. Angie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lobematt Posted July 29, 2011 Author Share Posted July 29, 2011 Thanks for all the replies. Tapping out the rhythm sounds like a good idea, my problem is though I don't know if I'm doing it right and theres not much point practising something wrong? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 In that case you need a teacher to tell you if you are doing it wrong or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 [quote name='lobematt' post='1320135' date='Jul 29 2011, 10:17 AM']Thanks for all the replies. Tapping out the rhythm sounds like a good idea, my problem is though I don't know if I'm doing it right and theres not much point practising something wrong? [/quote] You are missing the point. Its the doing of it that you need to practice. Getting it absolutely right is not actually that important at this stage (it will quickly become obvious as things fall apart when you get it wrong, which you will). What you are doing is practicing something that you can already do but not very quickly. Reading one bar of a rhythm is not that hard. Reading two is a little harder, four starts to get tough but the real test is reading pages and pages of stuff. WHen I say look at a random chart and tap out rhythms, you are not practising 'getting it right' in the conventional sense. you are simply practising 'doing it'. As you get better at 'doing it', you can then focus on 'getting it right'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davey_one_visits Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 Excellent post. I am experiencing similar frustrations at the moment. I've nailed the pitches and can sight read them with a basic rhythm at speed but as soon as they get even slightly complex I'm lost and have to stop and "work them out". I will use the advice given above as it is clear from this, that I am trying to run before I'm able to walk. Much appreciated. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 Recommended.... (I have it on my desk in work) [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Encyclopedia-Reading-Rhythms-Workbook-Instruments/dp/0793573793/ref=cm_cr-mr-title"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Encyclopedia-Readi...=cm_cr-mr-title[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davey_one_visits Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 [quote name='Bilbo' post='1324292' date='Aug 2 2011, 02:27 PM']Recommended.... (I have it on my desk in work) [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Encyclopedia-Reading-Rhythms-Workbook-Instruments/dp/0793573793/ref=cm_cr-mr-title"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Encyclopedia-Readi...=cm_cr-mr-title[/url][/quote] Purchased Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lobematt Posted August 3, 2011 Author Share Posted August 3, 2011 [quote name='davey_one_visits' post='1324305' date='Aug 2 2011, 02:38 PM']Purchased[/quote] Snap! Good to know I'm not the only one struggling with this too!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radansey Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 I can recommend this book too, [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Simplified-Sight-Reading-Bass-Josquin-Pres/dp/0793565189/ref=sr_1_25?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1312378626&sr=1-25"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Simplified-Sight-R...626&sr=1-25[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GonzoBass Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 I can highly recommend this site- [url="http://www.practicesightreading.com/"]http://www.practicesightreading.com/[/url] [quote name='lobematt' post='1320135' date='Jul 28 2011, 11:17 PM']Tapping out the rhythm sounds like a good idea, my problem is though I don't know if I'm doing it right and theres not much point practising something wrong?[/quote] A midi file which plays each random, customly created exercise is provided so you can check yourself. Very cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lobematt Posted August 3, 2011 Author Share Posted August 3, 2011 [quote name='GonzoBass' post='1325746' date='Aug 3 2011, 03:13 PM']I can highly recommend this site- [url="http://www.practicesightreading.com/"]http://www.practicesightreading.com/[/url] A midi file which plays each random, customly created exercise is provided so you can check yourself. Very cool.[/quote] Just after I've ordered a book too haha. Sounds good mate, I'll defo check it out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wal4string Posted August 6, 2011 Share Posted August 6, 2011 You will also find that rhythms you can already play are good to look at if you have not seen the chart before. I remember seeing the bass chart for Zeps Whole Lotta Love for the first time. Not a hard bass line to learn or play but when I saw the chart for the first time I learnt alot from tapping my foot on the down beats and reading how the rhythm was written. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lobematt Posted August 6, 2011 Author Share Posted August 6, 2011 That makes sense, I'll give it a go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beneath It All Posted August 6, 2011 Share Posted August 6, 2011 [quote name='SteveK' post='1318081' date='Jul 27 2011, 11:20 AM'][url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Modern-Reading-Text-All-Instruments/dp/0769233775"]Louis Bellson's Modern Reading Text in 4/4 [/url][/quote] ......................Spot on! That's the book I used to learn rhythm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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