While many students of the guitar describe themselves as “rhythmically challenged”, others exude confidence and pride in their ability to feel the beat and use it creatively in their playing. Yet, among those who feel confident, many often describe a metronome as “slowing down” or speeding up” and become irritated when playing with other musicians, blaming them for irregularities in the tempo! The bottom line is, most people could use some help with rhythm.

Not only will a keen sense of rhythm make it more enjoyable for others to listen to you or play with you, it will add sophistication, variety and interest to your playing and contribute to your creativity by allowing you the freedom to experiment within the pulse. A firm grasp of the beat will allow you to move away from it and come back to it, tight and sharp, in both your accompaniment patterns and your leads.

After many years of stabbing at rhythm issues with students during their weekly lessons, it occurred to me that it would be helpful to not only have intensive sessions that focused only on rhythm, but to get us all off of the guitar for a fresh approach and a more total body experience. Within 24 hours of this realization, I was the proud owner of a beautiful new conga drum and within a few weeks had an impressive collection of percussion instruments, which now includes large djembe drums, as well. Life hasn’t been the same since!

I have added rhythm workshops to my teaching repertoire and I never cease to be amazed at what happens to the students during these workshops and in the weeks following. Not only do they find the beat and learn to work with it when playing alone or with other musicians, they go from “trying” to “playing”. In other words, they start having more fun with their music - they become “players”!

I conduct the rhythm workshops for players of any instrument (or no instrument!). They generally last about two hours and have anywhere from three to twenty people in the group. Most people arrive feeling intimidated and are worried that they will have to perform or will look foolish in front of the group. I understand these feelings, but they are completely unnecessary in these workshops. I reassure them that it is not a performance, they won’t feel “on the spot” and it’s all just plain fun! So far, everyone who has ever attended one will give the same report on the way out the door. Not only do they become both more accurate and relaxed rhythmically, they expand their understanding of the musical language. In addition, they are energized, inspired and absolutely high off of the experience.

As for me, I not only get to enjoy the workshops, I get the drums all to myself when everyone leaves. Whether I‘m tired or uninspired, scattered or anxious, drumming helps me relax and center. It also gets my blood moving and takes me totally out of my head. I gather all my drums around me, put a guitar in my lap and the only thing in the world is pure, raw, rhythmic sound!

Check the Calendar page for dates of upcoming rhythm workshops. 
If you would like to organize a rhythm workshop in your area or place of business, email me.

If you are interested in improving your rhythm while learning rhythmic notation, check out the exercises in A Guitar Player's Guide to Ear Training (CD's included) and A Guitar Player's Guide to Music Theory.

 

Moving On  Beyond the Basics of Guitar Playing 64-page spiral-bound book CD included $17.95

 

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To inquire about lessons or workshops, email Charlotte.