Before man could speak, many, many thousands of years ago, he was able to bang out a rhythm. The image of the primates striking the stone obelisk with bones at the start of 2001 Space Odyssey leaps to mind! All of our bodies works in coordination with the rhythm of our heartbeats. In a nutshell, rhythm is life and music can't function without it. Imagine a group of musicians getting together and all of them trying to play together but none of them playing with the same rhythm. How bad would that sound?
Rhythm is a fundamental in music as in so many other things and musicians must learn to work with the rhythm as soon as possible in order to get to grips with music and for it to really work for them.
Simply tapping your foot while you play will help you lock into the groove and play what you are reading or hearing perfectly. Another useful tool is a metronome, especially so when the rhythms become complicated. Although the sound of a metronome can often be described as being without a vibe, the benefits and improvements to your playing will be enormous.
The final method for mastering playing to a rhythm is to count while you play, and of the three can be the most difficult. It certainly requires some practice and takes a little getting used to, but it is by no means a bridge too far. By counting you are able to really understand where all of the notes fall, thus giving you solid knowledge of how songs and melodies work and thus giving you real confidence as a player.
In some cultures, for example in India, Tabla players are not allowed to use their instruments until they have understood the complex language of their rhythms. This is achieved by counting (sometimes counting the digits on their fingers) and by using sounds to help emphasise accents and different rhythm tones.
Such a thorough approach can be applied to less complex music and when teaching in this way I have noticed significant improvements in the students' performance. When you really understand the rhythm and get to grips with it, you will play with enormous confidence and will then be able to change things around a little. You may then, for instance, be able to change notes around, add stresses and accents and really imprint your music with some of your own character.
Understanding rhythm is vitally important when it comes to understanding music, and when you have got to grips with it you will realize that there is no other way. Imagine your body functioning without a heartbeat, or imagine the feeling when your heart skips a beat. These are all sensations similar to when a musician is unable to hold a rhythm!
For Lessons and Tips on How To Play Music with Good Rhythm visit http://www.guitar4free.com/rhythm
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