Gary’s blues rhythm
i've just started working on Gary's blues. I'm not finding the pulls, slaps and flutters too difficult. But I'm having to work really hard at the Rhythm. Is this other peoples experience?
Thanks Rob
Hey Roger,
I'm with you! I've found that song substantially more challenging than the songs in the earlier levels. There's just a lot going on, like UkeleleRob says.
I'm sorry, but I don't have any advice. All I can say is that I'm in the same boat and I've been working at it... chipping away, bar by bar, chorus by chorus. and tonnes of looping. I'm slowly getting there and I'm sure you are too!
Luckily the song is super-fun to play, so it's inherently motivating. The pulls and syncopation are great fun once I finally begin to get a handle on all the little moves involved.
Anyway, sorry I don't have any tips. It's been about a month since you first posted. How is it going?
Eric
P.S. - Thanks for the lesson suggestion, UkeleleRob!
thanks for getting in touch.It's coming along. I've actually given myself a break by focussing on the solo and accomp. As I says slowly getting it. I just feel that there may be a practice exercise in counting while playing that I'm missing. As you say it's a great tune.
I had looked over the rhythm lesson here: https://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/rhythm_training before I started LOA 4, and have been coming back to it a LOT, especially the syncopated eighth notes and triplets (I struggle more with the quarter notes, so I try to hear the triplet eighth notes first and then use that feel to follow the tripled quarter notes.)
I also find that when I'm doing a good job hearing the drums, they help me sway to the beat correctly, and then the 4 4+ 3 bits in bars 8-9-10 and 20-21-22 all hit with the same "lean", which helps me a lot.
I'm also struggling with Loa 4 and I love this song. I find the Practice study program useful - I follow it and I'm starting to see progress on Gary's too. The Groove lesson link is interesting!Thanks UkuleleRob65! Anyway, slowly but it's coming to me too!
Roger:
Lots of great syncopation in "Gary's Blues," with pickup notes, grace notes, etc., all within a shuffle context. Takes a lot of listening (and tapping your foot and swaying your body).
One thing that might help, if you haven't done it already, is to check out David's "Groove" lessons (with some fabulous musicians), at https://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/performance_training_groove
-Rob