I see there have been a couple of answers to Attilla's question about time,
but I don't think they address what he was wondering since the answers talk
about keeping time, but his question is about SWINGING or as he calls it
"that strong jazz feel".
I think, if you don't have a group to play with that has a Jazz rhythm
section, you really have to listen to a ton of recordings. And, personally I
would stay away from the newer musicians, or at least the newer tunes,
because it is too easy to get caught up in the complexity of their playing
and not focus on the swing tempo.
If you could get your hands on some Louis Armstrong albums for example. That
cat just swung from so deep down that he provides a solid education for any
musician on any instrument. For guitar, try to get some Freddie Green, or
Charlie Christian. If I read your letter right, you probably have no trouble
keeping time, it is that you are trying to get that just-a-bit-off-the-beat
feel that really picks up the music and makes it...well, swing.
Even when you are practicing (and yes, I agree a metronome is a good idea)
try always to hear that "buh-duuh" pulse supporting the feel of the tune.
Although the time keeping device is dead on, you want to control the in
between spaces. Like how a good drummer can be on the beat and yet have a
ton of flexibility in whether they are pushing or pulling the band in one
way or another.
I don't have any specific exercises to build up this feel, but maybe a good
teacher at your jazz school could suggest something?
All the best, John P.
Hello everybody!
I'm playing jazz-guitar since few years, and I learned a lot of chords
and scales, and all kind of theory (I just begun the fourth year in a
jazz guitar school). I have a little combo and we use to play in small
jazz-cafes (unfortunately not too often:(..., but anyway, my biggest
problem now is the right time (I think this is the right term for it),
to have that strong jazz feel.
So make it shorter could you give me some tips hove to improve my time?
Thanx a lot
Attila (Hungary)
