Musicians: How Did You Learn to Keep Time?

moira43 · 12-08-2011, 11:50 AM

[longtime lurker delurking]

A musician friend of mine was telling me that there is a sign system to teach hearing people the differences in musical pitch/tone. Is there something similar to teach deaf musicians learn different rhythm patterns? I tried to learn how to play drums back in 6th grade but never got the hang of keeping time (which, uh, was a bit embarrassing during our school concerts).

Did you learn by feeling different beats? Reading the music and then counting out the time? Did you have a music teacher who worked one-on-one with you to get the rhythm?

I'm thinking about giving the drums another whirl now that I'm older but I'm wondering what the best way to learn them would be...any advice would be greatly appreciated!

***naisho*** · 12-08-2011, 11:52 AM

You can check out the documentary, "See What I'm Saying" to get an idea about the difficulty deaf entertainers have came to, since you seem especially curious about the hearing aspect.

See What I'm Saying: The Deaf Entertainers Documentary (2010) - IMDb

moira43 · 12-08-2011, 01:12 PM

Thanks for the rec! I'll definitely check it out. I've heard of Glennie. I'm HoH and I guess you're right in the sense that maybe I'm confusing wanting to follow the drumbeat "correctly" with what would be considered "correct" in the hearing world.

But I was watching the insipirational Bison fight song evolution video and the teams that used the drummer--the drummer always seemed to keep such an even beat. That's the point of drumming, right? To give other dancers/performers/musicians a sense of time to follow. --I'm always too fast or too slow for other people it seems.

Grrrr..I don't know what I 'm trying to say here...maybe i should realize that I'm never going to be a "conventional" drummer

and should just enjoy myself and follow my own beat.

DeafCaroline · 12-08-2011, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moira43

Thanks for the rec! I'll definitely check it out. I've heard of Glennie. I'm HoH and I guess you're right in the sense that maybe I'm confusing wanting to follow the drumbeat "correctly" with what would be considered "correct" in the hearing world.

But I was watching the insipirational Bison fight song evolution video and the teams that used the drummer--the drummer always seemed to keep such an even beat. That's the point of drumming, right? To give other dancers/performers/musicians a sense of time to follow. --I'm always too fast or too slow for other people it seems.

Grrrr..I don't know what I 'm trying to say here...maybe i should realize that I'm never going to be a "conventional" drummer

and should just enjoy myself and follow my own beat.

What are those thingamajiggies called again? it's like an upside down pendulum that musicians use to keep time?

**Bottesini** · 12-08-2011, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeafCaroline

What are those thingamajiggies called again? it's like an upside down pendulum that musicians use to keep time?

Metronome?

And I learned to play the bass when I was in school. Following the baton of a condutor taught the beat.

DeafCaroline · 12-08-2011, 02:21 PM

thank you, metronome! that is what my special ed/speech therapist/music teacher used for my speech sessions in school. although my speech therapy at home was very very intensive, my sessions at school revolved around learning to play a musical instrument so I would learn about rhythms, fluctuations and tones. After a while, it's not hard to follow the beat at all especially since it usually remains consistent through the song.

What I always really liked on the cd players were those ...oh man, another thingamajiggie that I dont know the name of - what are those green bars that light up on music players to show the bass, etc?

moira43 · 12-08-2011, 02:38 PM

Metronome! D'uh! :slaps head: That's an excellent idea! Thanks!

And now that I think about it...I bet there's a Wii game that would help with learning rhythms with visual clues. Probably expensive but the metronome is a good place to start at least learning how to space beats evenly...

Queenbeedee · 05-24-2012, 11:05 PM

I saw a deaf actress named Marley Matlin play the drums on tv. She was great! Beethoven's 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th symphonies were all written while he was completely deaf! I've seen deaf people play piano! My daughter's friend called today and said that a deaf boy entering the 9th grade next yr wants to join the school marching band & she wanted my opinion about it. I told her absolutely! Let him! He will do great! I've seen blind kid in a marching band! Deaf people love to enjoy music too.

kokonut · 05-25-2012, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moira43

[longtime lurker delurking]

A musician friend of mine was telling me that there is a sign system to teach hearing people the differences in musical pitch/tone. Is there something similar to teach deaf musicians learn different rhythm patterns? I tried to learn how to play drums back in 6th grade but never got the hang of keeping time (which, uh, was a bit embarrassing during our school concerts).

Did you learn by feeling different beats? Reading the music and then counting out the time? Did you have a music teacher who worked one-on-one with you to get the rhythm?

I'm thinking about giving the drums another whirl now that I'm older but I'm wondering what the best way to learn them would be...any advice would be greatly appreciated!

That is why you have your music teacher as your conductor so that everyone in the band can follow time to help with the proper rhythm or beat.

Mine has been foot tapping to help keep with time when I first started while as a boy. Nowadays my whole body keeps time internally as I follow and listen to the rhythm of the music.

Anij · 05-25-2012, 09:06 AM

Wirelessly posted (Blackberry Bold )

I'm an (primarily) an orchestral player (flute & picc) and have always just used a metronome with visual indicators.

The most important part is actually understanding how to read music ... Understanding beat, rhythm, meter etc - ie what 4/4 , 3/4 , 6/8, etc mean, how they look conducted, and then how various notes fit into that (whole, half, 8th, 16th, triplets etc).

All of that can be learned easily without having any hearing at all as it's actually visual and tactile.

Also there are specific techniques books that teach rythym patterns - starting with steady: whole notes, half quarters etc and then progressing into various. Patterns that mix different note lengths together within a single measure.

Start with the most basic and the move up in patterns only once youre able to be precise on the pattern you're working on.

**KristinaB** · 05-25-2012, 07:23 PM

My metronome that I had growing up not only had the swinging arm, it also had a flashing light. Wish I still had it now.

Anij · 05-25-2012, 08:03 PM

Wirelessly posted (Blackberry Bold )

For what its worth - the digital metronomes are much more accurate than the mechanical type (which need to be properly balanced and on a perfectly level surface to be accurate).

A good digital metronome can be purchased for about $30

**KristinaB** · 05-25-2012, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anij

Wirelessly posted (Blackberry Bold )

For what its worth - the digital metronomes are much more accurate than the mechanical type (which need to be properly balanced and on a perfectly level surface to be accurate).

A good digital metronome can be purchased for about $30

Will have to check into that. Do they have a light to blink as well?

Anij · 05-25-2012, 09:12 PM

Wirelessly posted (Blackberry Bold )

Quote:

Originally Posted by KristinaB

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anij

Wirelessly posted (Blackberry Bold )

For what its worth - the digital metronomes are much more accurate than the mechanical type (which need to be properly balanced and on a perfectly level surface to be accurate).

A good digital metronome can be purchased for about $30

Will have to check into that. Do they have a light to blink as well?

Yes - just go to a good music store and you can try out a number of different models and find something that works for you.

Some of the more expensive ones have an "out" for plugging in an strobe/light (typically these are $100 and used for school bands etc)

kokonut · 05-25-2012, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KristinaB

My metronome that I had growing up not only had the swinging arm, it also had a flashing light. Wish I still had it now.

You can now.
FREE METRONOME SOFTWARE - Best Metronome .com

**KristinaB** · 05-25-2012, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kokonut

You can now.
FREE METRONOME SOFTWARE - Best Metronome .com

None with a flashing light. Can't hear a thing. I am total deaf, remember?

kokonut · 05-25-2012, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KristinaB

None with a flashing light. Can't hear a thing. I am total deaf, remember?

I have no idea the amount of hearing loss until now. Here's one with a flashing light.

Metronomes

Though pretty limited.

FadedRose · 05-30-2012, 08:25 PM

I still have issues with time...
it's a work in progress but has been at times difficult to get my instruments all together in sync because I play each part separate as the other part is playing, recording the new track and alot of the times I have to re-do a recording because I lost time.

Makes for a very frustrating recording session but when I get it right...
it's worth it.

Claudia · 09-24-2012, 08:18 PM

wondering what brand name metronome would you recommend?

12-08-2011, 11:50 AM	#1 (permalink)
moira43 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Baltimore, Md Posts: 7	Musicians: How Did You Learn to Keep Time? [longtime lurker delurking] A musician friend of mine was telling me that there is a sign system to teach hearing people the differences in musical pitch/tone. Is there something similar to teach deaf musicians learn different rhythm patterns? I tried to learn how to play drums back in 6th grade but never got the hang of keeping time (which, uh, was a bit embarrassing during our school concerts). Did you learn by feeling different beats? Reading the music and then counting out the time? Did you have a music teacher who worked one-on-one with you to get the rhythm? I'm thinking about giving the drums another whirl now that I'm older but I'm wondering what the best way to learn them would be...any advice would be greatly appreciated!

05-25-2012, 09:06 AM	#10 (permalink)
Anij Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 2,087	Wirelessly posted (Blackberry Bold ) I'm an (primarily) an orchestral player (flute & picc) and have always just used a metronome with visual indicators. The most important part is actually understanding how to read music ... Understanding beat, rhythm, meter etc - ie what 4/4 , 3/4 , 6/8, etc mean, how they look conducted, and then how various notes fit into that (whole, half, 8th, 16th, triplets etc). All of that can be learned easily without having any hearing at all as it's actually visual and tactile. Also there are specific techniques books that teach rythym patterns - starting with steady: whole notes, half quarters etc and then progressing into various. Patterns that mix different note lengths together within a single measure. Start with the most basic and the move up in patterns only once youre able to be precise on the pattern you're working on. __________________ Hoh/Deaf ~ +120db deaf right , mild/mod flux left & APD English & ASL ...PAH!! Ignorance is NOT Bliss Last edited by Anij; 05-25-2012 at 09:15 AM.

05-25-2012, 07:23 PM	#11 (permalink)
KristinaB New SDIT Deacon Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Land of the backstroke Posts: 13,767	My metronome that I had growing up not only had the swinging arm, it also had a flashing light. Wish I still had it now. __________________ Taking life one day at a time.

05-25-2012, 08:03 PM	#12 (permalink)
Anij Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 2,087	Wirelessly posted (Blackberry Bold ) For what its worth - the digital metronomes are much more accurate than the mechanical type (which need to be properly balanced and on a perfectly level surface to be accurate). A good digital metronome can be purchased for about $30 __________________ Hoh/Deaf ~ +120db deaf right , mild/mod flux left & APD English & ASL ...PAH!! Ignorance is NOT Bliss

05-30-2012, 08:25 PM	#18 (permalink)
FadedRose Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 668	I still have issues with time... it's a work in progress but has been at times difficult to get my instruments all together in sync because I play each part separate as the other part is playing, recording the new track and alot of the times I have to re-do a recording because I lost time. Makes for a very frustrating recording session but when I get it right... it's worth it. __________________

Today
Deafness	Sponsored Links __________________ This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on AllDeaf.com

12-08-2011, 11:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
*naisho* Forum Disorders M.D.,Ph.D Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: 127.0.0.1 Posts: 6,161	You can check out the documentary, "See What I'm Saying" to get an idea about the difficulty deaf entertainers have came to, since you seem especially curious about the hearing aspect. See What I'm Saying: The Deaf Entertainers Documentary (2010) - IMDb

12-08-2011, 01:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
moira43 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Baltimore, Md Posts: 7	Thanks for the rec! I'll definitely check it out. I've heard of Glennie. I'm HoH and I guess you're right in the sense that maybe I'm confusing wanting to follow the drumbeat "correctly" with what would be considered "correct" in the hearing world. But I was watching the insipirational Bison fight song evolution video and the teams that used the drummer--the drummer always seemed to keep such an even beat. That's the point of drumming, right? To give other dancers/performers/musicians a sense of time to follow. --I'm always too fast or too slow for other people it seems. Grrrr..I don't know what I 'm trying to say here...maybe i should realize that I'm never going to be a "conventional" drummer and should just enjoy myself and follow my own beat.

12-08-2011, 02:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
DeafCaroline Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4,889	thank you, metronome! that is what my special ed/speech therapist/music teacher used for my speech sessions in school. although my speech therapy at home was very very intensive, my sessions at school revolved around learning to play a musical instrument so I would learn about rhythms, fluctuations and tones. After a while, it's not hard to follow the beat at all especially since it usually remains consistent through the song. What I always really liked on the cd players were those ...oh man, another thingamajiggie that I dont know the name of - what are those green bars that light up on music players to show the bass, etc?

12-08-2011, 02:38 PM	#7 (permalink)
moira43 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Baltimore, Md Posts: 7	Metronome! D'uh! :slaps head: That's an excellent idea! Thanks! And now that I think about it...I bet there's a Wii game that would help with learning rhythms with visual clues. Probably expensive but the metronome is a good place to start at least learning how to space beats evenly...

05-24-2012, 11:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
Queenbeedee Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: United States Posts: 5	I saw a deaf actress named Marley Matlin play the drums on tv. She was great! Beethoven's 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th symphonies were all written while he was completely deaf! I've seen deaf people play piano! My daughter's friend called today and said that a deaf boy entering the 9th grade next yr wants to join the school marching band & she wanted my opinion about it. I told her absolutely! Let him! He will do great! I've seen blind kid in a marching band! Deaf people love to enjoy music too.

09-24-2012, 08:18 PM	#19 (permalink)
Claudia Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 6	wondering what brand name metronome would you recommend?

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