[Thumpthdrum]

One tool that I use, that I like is a "Beatnik", and I have a click that I use if recording. More up beat tempos are easier to keep time with ( I practice these) I practice the sssslllllloooowwwweeerrr tempos more as well as working on dynamics.

[slingerland59]

Originally Posted by Thumpthdrum

One tool that I use, that I like is a "Beatnik"....

What's a Beatnik? What does it do? How does it help you perfect your timing?

[Harry]

Hi all,
I think it is helpful to practice keeping a constant "pace" when working on your chops by whatever means which suit your individual preference, BUT, not much nicely composed music does actually has a constant beat at all!
This keeping the same "stride" kind of a thing came to furore in the worst time frame (IMHO) in our modern music, The Disco.
Also because a lot of the music is now produced on a "single" based time frame (maybe 3 to 4 minutes max.), it is not easy to have tempo variations in such a relative short span of time.
It is an absolute eye-opener to check the "pulse" on well known music and find out how much it varies!
One of the charms of improvised music, like some Jazz but particularly the gypsy inspired Eastern European (slavic, think violin, Django Rheinhardt) is the sweeping build-up to a point of crescendo, which can enhance the musical experience (from the listeners ,audience, point of view) greatly.
Even when the tempi variations would be very slight it still can have a great bearing on the "feel"of the music.

Cheers and happy drumming,

Harry

[Squildjian]

One nice trick that I learned from a bandmate when trying to play Billie Jean was using the clock on the wall as a timekeeper. Now I use it just as a metronome in a pinch; even though its only one constant bpm, it helps to train me to the pocket.

[Harry]

Hi Squil,

I can't help myself (again), you sure mean a steady 60 BPM.

Sorry about that, (60 bangs a minute)

Cheers and Happy Drumming,

Harry

[Squildjian]

Hahaha! Oh, jeez, my mistake. It took me a few minutes to get that. I matched up the bass drum beats with the turns of the second hand, so the song went at 120 BPM.

[slingerland59]

I just looked up the Beatnik that Thumpthdrum talked about. It's a drum pad with a metronome built in and analyzing capabilities. It sounds amazing. Great, another addition to my wish list that just keeps growing!