RUST #27

[BobbyD]

I know this is a problem for others i.e. tapping foot on the beat whilst accenting the correct beats. I just wonder if it is really necessary! I can play the rhythm with the accents on the correct beats and always seem to know where I am due to the accents for 1 & 4 falling on the beat. My point is I am struggling to tap the foot on the 2nd and 3rd beat and keep the accents in the correct place. So, will this be an issue as I move forward or am I okay to just play the pattern and not worry too much about what my foot is doing? If it sounds good it is good - right! I'd be interested to know others thoughts and experiences with RUST #27.
P.S. Thank you Justin for the fantastic content. The structured nature and your great way of teaching guitar has made me fall in love with the instrument again. I got back into playing during 'lockdown' and found your site at the same time. Brilliant work!

[tobyjenner]

Bobby

First off welcome to the forum.

As to the issue, from what I recall it was a bit like patting your head and rubbing your belly. Took me a while sync everything up. Like you thought it seemed impossible. But tapping your foot or nodding your head really helps to keep the rhythm tight, especially if you are playing over a backing track or jamming with others. Its something that takes a bit of practice, certainly with 16th and accents but try and stick with it.
Best advice is to slllllllooooooooooooowwwwwwww right down. Get it working then speed it up.

Foot tapping is a way of internalising the rhythm, you may advance to simply rocking your body or nodding your head like some the greats do, but they all do something to stay on point.

Hope that helps

Cheers

Toby
 

[BobbyD]

Hi Toby
Many thanks for your response. I guess I should try to master this for the greater good of my future playing. Just wondering would I be better having the metronome set 4/4 or set 4 beats & 4 divisions i.e. broken down to 16ths? I'm using Justin's Time Trainer app (which is a great tool - thanks Justin).

I had a chuckle about your comment of rocking the body; I imagine a few more days of trying to do this and I will end up sat in the corner of a dark room rocking from side to side, and sobbing! 

[tobyjenner]

Yeah just don't fall over 

Use 4/4 and count 1 e and a 2 e and a 3 e and a 4 e and a. As covered in the course.

ie Down strums on the 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and
Ups on the e a e a e a e a

e i e i o

but enuff stoopidity. 

[BobbyD]

Thanks Toby. I'll slow it right down again and persevere.