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Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

Triplets with pause

1 reply [Last post]
Mon, 05/24/2021 - 08:12
Arion941
Arion941's picture
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Level 3
Joined: 05/01/2019

Hello David,

when i play study songs or other pieces i often get stuck in triplets with pauses. Mainly on them where the first note is a pause.

Everytime they occur i got stuck for days/weeks and try to play them more consistently

 

Ive tried many things like:

rhythm exercises on youtube and bluesharmonica.com

playing triplets with -2 to get the triplet feel and playing with the pause afterwards. (During this practice i count in my head ta-ta-ta and with the pause i try to think the first ta away)

listening to many of your study songs and repeated it with a metronome.

Clapping them

played them with marracas

 

My problem is i don't know exactly when after the beat i should start to play. I kind of try to play them "short after the beat"

Sometimes i get them, but frequently i get sixteenth notes.

 

Do you have any tips trick on how to get them more consistently?

 

Thank you and best regards :)

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Mon, 05/24/2021 - 09:17
#1
David Barrett
David Barrett's picture
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ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Hello Arion941. It sounds

Hello Arion941.

It sounds like you're using good methodology, so it may just be time.

I have one tip for you in regards to starting on the second piece of the triplet... the "uh" (1 and uh, 2 and uh, etc.).

Use what's called a Rhythmic Place Holder. Don't play that downbeat note, but feel it in your body. Feel that beat in your foot, or in a nod of your head, or a quick tensing of a muscle in your body...anything to help you feel that note, even though you're not playing it on your instrument. Once you feel that note, off to the races you go (the "and" will come quickly).

Give this a try, it works well for me.

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