Play your saxophone in time - develop a mental clock
Frank has been given an unfamiliar tune to learn by his sax instructor. “I’m playing all the right notes”, he thinks, “and they are all in the right order. So why the hell does it sound completely tuneless?”, he wonders. Well, the chances are that Frank has not yet developed a mental clock.
If I was asked, “what is the most common problem that you encounter when teaching the saxophone?”, I would not hesitate to answer ‘rhythm’.
From beginners to advanced and almost without exception it seems to be the most difficult musical element for the student to grasp. Most of them can sing in time, dance in time, and tap their foot in time to the radio. Why, then, can’t they play the saxophone in time?
The subject is well beyond the realms of a single article. However, I will begin explaining the idea of developing a mental clock. Here are a few hints.
- Practise with a metronome. The old fashioned wind up type are fine but a better bet is the small electronic type. Most have a visual indicator in the form of a flashing light. A good alternative is an electric keyboard. Most are now manufactured with some sort of metronome.
- Always count yourself in before you start playing, even when using a metronome. This is vital. The first bar, for instance, may contain a whole note (semibreve). How do you know how long to hold it if you have not counted yourself in? Develop the habit. I cannot stress this enough.
- Develop an awareness of time and pulse. Tap or clap a straight 4-to-the-bar. Accent the first beat of each bar. Practise slowing down and speeding up without losing the pulse. You are now beginning to develop a mental clock. You are becoming the metronome.
- When you can do the above mentioned clapping exercise, go back to the saxophone and, instead of clapping, play a 4-to-the-bar 1/4-notes . Vary the speed. Introduce 1/8-notes into the picture. Mix them up, 1/8-notes and 1/4-notes.
- Play an unaccompanied tune to a friend or relative. Concentrate conveying the rhythm as well as the notes. If you are in playng in time they will pick up on it straight away; just watch their feet!
- Try playing a rhythmic CD or tape and tap along. Get somebody to mute the speakers for a short period whilst you continue to tap the pulse.
- Practice your mental clock whenever you have a spare moment… on buses… walking down the road….
If you think this has nothing to do with playing the saxophone, wait until you have a two bar solo break in a band piece and everybody is waiting on you to come back in!
Any questions? Do you have something to say on the subject of timekeeping? Leave a comment. We’d love to hear from you.
