Rhythm Exercise to Prevent Rushing & Encourage Variety for Jazz Improvisers

[@NeilKohlen]

these rhythm videos are sooo valuable. I think it's the most important fact to focus on while learning music in general! its all about rhythm

[@JeremySiskind]

Nice - I’m glad you find it useful, Neil! Happy practicing!

[@NeilKohlen]

@@JeremySiskind man thank you!

[@nickplaysviola]

everyone, go buy the books!

[@JeremySiskind]

*thank you!*

[@handdancin]

yes! definitely a differentiator- when people can switch subdivisions without needing a note or two to lock in rhythmically. the transition is everything!

[@JeremySiskind]

Yes - it’s so key, right? Thanks so much for the nice comment!

[@ivannagy8911]

Helpful as always, but with the failure it is invaluable:) Most of us on the other learning side of the instrument can connect to you even better. The great pianist’s are humans too :) I never forget a video with Dave McKenna. This was some kind of a TV show and he missed something did some failure. He told it for the other 99% percent that he failed and started again. Recently I have learned listening his music and realize how good he is.

[@JeremySiskind]

Failure is what I do! 😂 thanks for the nice words, Ivan!

[@chrisjazzhands5373]

Re your comment: “hope you like watching me fail” 😁 I’m a later-in-life student and I wish someone would have told me just how difficult learning jazz would be and there’d be failure a lot. So-yes-it’s instructive to even see you fail! The variety idea here was so helpful. I was wondering if you were going to mention pauses/space as a purposeful variety. Like a “breathe!” You didn’t! Was that purposeful? Very helpful lesson!!

[@JeremySiskind]

On an exercise like this, I’m not super insistent on breathing or space - it’s just an exercise. Other places, for sure! Sing! Breath!

[@strat1227]

Love the rhythmic content, so helpful!

[@JeremySiskind]

Awesome! Rhythm is the heArt of everything, right?

[@IamVegaskid]

Even the greats use light up keyboards! This gives me hope 😉

[@JeremySiskind]

Haha I’m not sure what that means but I’ll take it! 😂

[@IamVegaskid]

Ha ha, does the keyboard you are using in this video not have red back lights on them?

[@brendaboykin3281]

Thank you, Jeremy 🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@JeremySiskind]

You’re quite welcome, Brenda!

[@sophiejm5481]

Really helpful, thanks

[@JeremySiskind]

My pleasure, Sophie! Happy practicing!

[@alexandros_haralabidis]

Clear, full of illustrative examples, inspirational as always. - For quarter note triplets, should we start on 1, 2nd 8th note triplet of 1, or 1 "and" (in combination with the LH too, where should we place the LH)? I see you're keeping your left hand simple, mostly on 1 (obviously to focus on the RH).

[@JeremySiskind]

Hey, Alexandros! I’d definitely keep the left hand simple so you can focus on the right hand rhythm, but you could also practice with syncopated comping patterns. You can try any of the variations of the triplets you like!

[@rillloudmother]

Jimmy Rushing has entered the chat.

[@JeremySiskind]

👌