Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 7:59 pmI know how to read music, and I think every musician
should have at least some knowledge of it.
But a technique that I initially resisted I now find very valuable is verbally enunciating the rhtyhms.
I picked this up from my saturday class with Carlos Aldama..
Eh Mmm BahBah!.....
Well thats a tumba rhythm, any guesses what it means?
Open Bass SlapSlap Tip(Ghost)
quarter quarter 2eight's and quarter rest, with the bass occuring on the one, the open is on 4, but with the rest it sounds like a phrase beginning with the open.
I think something gels in my mind when I actually speak the rhythms as I practice with the clave and bembe, and it seems to engage my memory more.
Also when I listen to tunes and try to transcribe the music turns into little sentences instead of terms like heel toe bass, etc.
Windhorse also made a very good comment whenh he visited SF a few months past (btw he is a school teacher, I hope he does'nt mind my mentioning)
...anyways he is very into the folkloric music and he said he felt speaking the rhythm parts eventually helps people learn the skill to sing the choro as they are playing.
So at first I thought it was kind of cheesy saying all these meaningless words, now it's invaluable.
I know there is a big Indian / Tabla tradition of learning this way. I would assume it is prevelant in Africa and Cuba as well.
It works for me.
Edited By bongosnotbombs on 1191010393
should have at least some knowledge of it.
But a technique that I initially resisted I now find very valuable is verbally enunciating the rhtyhms.
I picked this up from my saturday class with Carlos Aldama..
Eh Mmm BahBah!.....
Well thats a tumba rhythm, any guesses what it means?
Open Bass SlapSlap Tip(Ghost)
quarter quarter 2eight's and quarter rest, with the bass occuring on the one, the open is on 4, but with the rest it sounds like a phrase beginning with the open.
I think something gels in my mind when I actually speak the rhythms as I practice with the clave and bembe, and it seems to engage my memory more.
Also when I listen to tunes and try to transcribe the music turns into little sentences instead of terms like heel toe bass, etc.
Windhorse also made a very good comment whenh he visited SF a few months past (btw he is a school teacher, I hope he does'nt mind my mentioning)
...anyways he is very into the folkloric music and he said he felt speaking the rhythm parts eventually helps people learn the skill to sing the choro as they are playing.
So at first I thought it was kind of cheesy saying all these meaningless words, now it's invaluable.
I know there is a big Indian / Tabla tradition of learning this way. I would assume it is prevelant in Africa and Cuba as well.
It works for me.
Edited By bongosnotbombs on 1191010393
