I’ve been practicing with the metronome clicking on beats 2 and 4.
I can feel that my rhythm is still unstable, and even after two weeks of practice, I haven’t seen much improvement.
I’d really appreciate any advice you could give me.
Thank you in advance
Thanks for sharing this Junichiro.
Please make sure you do this correct way.
1) Practice simple blues bass line first.
1 1 1 1
4 4 1 1
5 4 1 1
2) Sing melody (inside you)
Back at the Chicken Shack
3) Metronome setting for 1 2 3 4 simple (Metronome on every beats)
50 to 65 ... do this for 2 weeks to one month or more.
4) Metronome at 65 to 75.
Then try at 40 on 2 & 4.
Your fingers are not super relaxed. Do not pull any strings.
Place your 2nd & 3rd fingers closer to strings so that you can mute strings.
You need to practice more simple chromatic scale more in order to play this well.
Play simple pattern for 3-4 times or more 5-6 times.
When you post any blues bassline or R 3 7 groove.. you need to play 2-3 times.
Keep working!
Thank you.
Tomo
Thank you very much for your detailed advice.
Would you recommend that I focus exclusively on the chromatic scale for now,
or would it be acceptable to work on other exercises alongside it?
You're very welcome!
Focus on Chromatic scale with super slow pace everyday.
You can still practice other things but you need to pay a lot of attention.
Thank you.
Tomo
Love this lesson. I'm always working on this too.
https://tomovhxtv.vhx.tv/videos/fb-blues-shuffle-bassline
Love that sweet Taylor Junichiro!
Kurt
.
Thank you for your comment.
This is the first guitar I bought with the money I saved from my part-time job.
I really like how it sounds.
Thank you Kurt for sharing this!
Good job!
Tomo
Cool job Takano ,not only practice , but also you guitar !
Rhythm part is really amazing , appreciate for your pure work ! Let's keep going .
Thanks always for your comments!
I believe that no matter the genre, a good guitarist is someone with great rhythm. That's why I think rhythm practice is super important. I'll keep working on it steadily!
Hi Takano
As Jiayang says great rhythm if only I was that consistent. I have been having issues with this and re-watched the video and noted how relaxed Tomo's fingers are and now trying to do that. Also from previous advice from Tomo I practice very slowly 35bpm and feel I have time to notice errors and see improvements.
Sadly I found Tomo too late in life but you have the chance to become really good plus every penny spent on your guitar was worth it!
Enjoy
Andrew you are so amazing and special , don't worry , you guitar journey is so unique and inspiration , totally is good plus !
Thank you Andrew! Thanks so much for re-watching that video.
This exercise is so important to use fingers (well relaxed) and mute other strings well.
Not easy at all!
Best not to use a metronome in the beginning. Both hands timing is so important so it's best to practice very slow!
Thank you.
Tomo
Hi Tomo
Thanks. Having relaxed fingers sounds so simple but by heck it's is not but it's great fun trying.
All the best
Andrew
Thank you Andrew!
Basically good things will take some time.
Definitely so much fun working on this!
Tomo
During a jam session, someone shared something that really stuck with me — that great rhythm comes from solid fundamentals.
At first, things like relaxing your fingers or muting properly didn’t seem related to rhythm, but now I see how it’s all connected.
Yes! Time feel...rhythm is super important!
Any great guitarists... sounds so good without backing tracks or anything.
That's why this shuffle baseline is very important to control your time feel, dynamics and every details.
Thank you.
Tomo
I tried playing a blues bassline.
There are some parts where the rhythm is a bit shaky, but this is the best I can do for now.
I’d appreciate any feedback you might have. Thank you!
久しぶりの日本をぜひ、満喫してください！！
Thank you for sharing this video.
Simple blues bass line is so important!
Good job!
Next step you can do following:
1) You can play shuffle groove rhythm.
2) You can sing simple melody while you are playing bassline.
Thank you so much!
今、飛騨高山にいます。
ここの静かなサウンドが素晴らしいです！
(I am at Hida Takayama with my parents right now!
This place is so amazing! So quiet! This quietness is unreal!
Plus water is so tasty!
Awesome job implementing the feedback! Remember your best is always enough :) Thanks for sharing your practice videos with us!
You mentioned it's okay to sing the melody—would it be a good idea to sing along with a B.B. King solo or improvisation?
If you have a specific song or example in mind, I’d really appreciate it if you could let me know!
Thank you!
You can sing a melody or good phrasing over shuffle blues bassline.
Blind Love by BB King (Blues is king)
That intro is so good!
Thank you.
Tomo
Good stuff Takano!! You really seemed to loosen up the second 12bars (: I saw you starting to get into the groove. It must be sinking in, the natural side of the progression was shining through. Keep on working it!! Great practice pace too, thank you for sharing, improvements in progress. Keep'n it on the one!! - johno
Thank you Johno for encouragement!
Tomo
Thank you for your comment!
This exercise really helped me realize how important it is to feel the groove by moving my body within each bar.
Thanks for listening, and I look forward to your feedback!
Best regards,
Takano Junichiro
Thank you Junichiro for sharing.
Tempo is good! First sustain each note. Then you can learn shuffle beat later.
The tone is not good! Distorted! Need to make a good clean tone.
Amp setting: Treble 10, Middle 5, Bass 0
Less gain, more master volume.
It's not easy to sing a melody and play bass line.
That's why we learn and practice it slow.
Pick softer.
Keep working!
Tomo
Takano Junichiro is back with the updates!
Thank you so much for sharing. I watched all three videos, but wanted to reply to this one in particular. The chromatic scale and R37 are important foundational exercises, but this exercise is something I heard all the time growing up! I know Tomo would tape his private lessons and work with his students on this.
You are doing great! Try the settings Tomo suggested, for practice and when you record your practice. This small adjustment will help you improve!
I’ll try practicing with the treble set to 10 on my amp.
I’ll also follow your advice and try playing while letting the notes ring out.
It’s quite challenging to pick gently without losing the tempo!
Thank you very much for your comment.
Thank you always for your warm comments.
The same practice method is described in Tomo-sensei’s book, and I have been practicing it.
It is truly an honor to receive advice directly from him.
I had also considered taking tape lessons, but since I am a self-supported student, I am very grateful to be able to learn in an environment like this!!
Oh that is so great that you have read the book!
I am so glad that Guitar Wisdom and Tomo's direct feedback can support you on your journey!
Cool guitar Takano :) nice pace for learning this, not easy going slow!! The notes sounded right. I did hear the snare on the root note, fun stuff!! - johno
For tape lessons... I always teach these...
1) Play open G / 3rd string with all down stroke / Soft picking.
a) Slowly
b) With a metronome on 40.
2) R 3 7 Swing Groove
a) Slow tempo
b) With a metronome at 50
c) With a metronome on 40 (2&4)
3) Shuffle Bass Line
a) Slow Tempo
b) With a metronome at 60
c) With a metronomr at 70
4) Triad Inversions / C
3 ways
Thank you.
Tomo
I tried playing a blues-style bass. When I lower the volume, the noise becomes noticeable, and dealing with the noise makes it hard to focus on other parts, so it was difficult. I look forward to your feedback.
Thank you for sharing your video.
I think you can play much slower without a metronome first.
When you play low note (root on the 6th string or 5th string), you can lower your thumb.
I think this tempo is too fast for you when you are learning technques.
You are bending some notes on 4th string so try use a lighter touch.
Listen this back at 01:50... you played 1 1 then you went IV!
Tomo
I’m practicing while paying attention to my thumb position, but it’s difficult. I’ll keep practicing little by little at a slow tempo. Thank you!
Not easy! So pay more attention and do not rush!
Slow down and review more.
You’re very welcome!
Tomo
I played at a slow tempo, paying attention to my thumb position and trying to use as little force as possible. I’d appreciate your feedback!
Good job for playing slow tempo.
Keep working all the details in slow tempo.
Less pressure as possible.
And repeat this for 4-6 times.
Pay attention each note (long sustain)
No noise between notes. No picking noise.
No string noise. No finger noise.
Tomo
Thank you for your adivice Tomo sensei!
I am playing this exercise as slowly as I can!
I recently realized the importance of using an amplifier, because I cannot hear any noise when I don’t use one.
I live in a Japanese apartment, so I cannot use a loud amp like the Fender Blues Junior.
I’m thinking of purchasing the Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb, since it has an attenuator that lets me adjust the volume.
Do you think this is a good idea?