Reddit mentions of Sight-Read Any Rhythm Instantly

> Any tips for counting pauses and pick strikes?

Don't count... Counting is a useful way to understand rhythm but really when it comes to practicing rhythm you need to feel it, if you try to count it as you play you wont nicly sink into the pocket and probably will pre-empt beats.

I would recommend this book Sight read any rhythm instantly. I find it great because it down plays counting and uses a slightly more verbal / feeling approach to reading / understanding rhythm.

To go on further about feeling rhythm you really need to feel the pulses and how it pushes. Listen to songs and try to feel those pulses, try different ones, jazzy swing, 3/4 time signature etc.

So when practicing with a metronome I think it helps to generate that feel of a groove (I imagine / often vocalise drumms / bass) and play to that, rather than chasing clicks which is what I think alot of people do.

> What BPM should I start with?

What ever is comfortable. Starting slow is best, but too slow could be difficult. Set it somewhere (e,g, 80) if its too fast / you are strugelling to keep up -> slow down, if its too slow and you either strugelling to play too slow or want to push faster -> speed up.

> When should I increase the BPM and by how much?

Depends on what you are practicing / what you want to achieve. Play around with it, there are no right and wrongs, 5 bpm, 2 bpm, even 10 bpm increments its all good. Just make sure if your playing breaks down because you are going to slow/fast then speed up / slow the metronome down.

> How long did it take you to get your timing down solid?

It took me a long time to really feel rhythm + grooves well. Timing is not about chasing metronome clicks or drum beats, its also the space in between and where the emphasis lies. It really helps to have that connection with the groove.

Play or clap slower crotchet triplets, its something I struggled with (I was a click chaser) and I think its something that requires more feel.

I think if you want to improve your timing + feel there are some great exercises to be had with clapping or even vocalisation (i.e. clapping rhythm, either exercises you can find on the internet or even lines of songs). Its good because it removes the guitar element and singles out rhythm. i.e. you can build some rhythmic skills and transfer to guitar.

Another fun exercise is to put the metronome on or a drum beat (its easier with drum beats at first) get it the groove with it (no guitar, just feel it) then turn the volume down. Stay in the groove and then say 5 - 10 seconds later turn the volume back up and see if the metronome/drums are still where you are / you are still in with it. It helps to vocalise a drum beat.

That last exercises taken from Victor Wooten, he has a great book The music lesson which I'd really recommend. Goes into feeling rhythm + other core musical concepts.

Remember as well, no one is a human metronome, people's sense of timing shifts and that's where feel helps as rhythm / groove is a living beast. So a great way to solidify rhythm / feel is playing regularly with other musicians. Where one on one guitar lessons can help as you can jam / play with an experience player who can keep their timing together.