Timekeeping Improvements
By Sidney Joseph
Our internal clock is where we process rhythm and tempo. As drummers, we are expected to have internal clocks that other musicians can rely on, and have timing that is rock-solid. However, KNOWING about solid timing, and HAVING solid timing, are two different things entirely. In order to improve our timekeeping, let’s look at some very practical steps that we can take, and also look at how to use Backbeater to help us in this process.
Be aware, very aware!
Before we get better, we need to know exactly what it is that we need to get better at! We can do this by using Backbeater to show us our live playing tempos, as well as listening back to recordings and videos of our performances. Only then can we truly analyze whether we tend to rush, drag, or even do both! Sometimes we rush the fast songs, making them harder to play, and slow down the slow songs, making them harder to listen to! Awareness is the first step to progress.
Practical Ideas For Progress
Once we become aware of what our weaknesses are, we need to know how to make improvements on them. We should practice in the areas that disrupt our tempos the most, whether that is grooves, fills, coordination, soloing, dynamics, or certain songs. Here are some very practical ideas to help you improve your timekeeping, in any of those areas -
Backbeater: Use the Backbeater sensor and app, to help you see if your backbeats are consistent or not. Having this information enables you to make real-time adjustments, which is an incredible 21st century tool, that no previous generation of drummers has had!
Gap Clicks: Practice to clicks that leave out either a few beats, or a few bars. These force you to control your own consistency, not to rely on a quarter note click for the tempo.
Shifted Click: Use a quarter note click, but hear it as falling on a different subdivision. In sixteenth note subdivisions, you could hear the click as being on the “AND”, the “E”, or the “A”. In triplets, you could hear the click as being on the middle or last note of the triplet. As a further challenge to your internal clock, you could use a “gap click”, as a “shifted click”. This would mean hearing the click fall on a different subdivision, while also leaving gaps for you to play the time without hearing the click at all!
“The Grid”: Practice locking in to the grid. To do this, use a metronome that allows you to hear all the subdivisions, whether eighth notes, sixteenth notes or triplets. As you play, try to line up every note that you play with those subdivisions. As a further challenge, you can change where you hear the accent of the subdivisions.
Video: Use your smartphone or camera to film yourself playing, and take notice of any physical movement that causes you to either slow down or speed up.
Audio: Record yourself practicing, using any kind of audio recording device that you have. It can be anything from a voice note on your phone, to a full home studio setup. Listen back to hear what areas need work!
Listen: Listen to drummers with consistent timekeeping, that play the way you want to play!
To make improvements in your timekeeping, combine all of these practice methods, and use them often!
Sidney Joseph is an international session drummer who has worked and performed with Gungor, Lacey Sturm, Dave Weckl and Richie Gajate-Garcia, among many others