what's the best way to learn rhythms

[vaiisgod]

After playing by tablature for years ive finally decided to learn all I can about reading music. From what ive read and heard reading music is the only way to become a session player. I know all the notes on the fret board in the first position of the guitar and the very basics of counting, whole notes, quarter notes, eighth notes, sixteenth notes and dotted quarter notes. I know how all those are counted, but when it comes to anything else such as dotted eighth notes and other more difficult rhythms I have trouble. I am now in the process of learning all of the notes on the fretboard. My question is, What is the best way to go about learning counting for the more difficult times? Is there a book or video that is highly recommended for this? And would learning rhythms away from the guitar be more helpful? such as drumming or tapping with my hands be a good start. Any help would be appreciated, thanks

[popmusic_sux]

if you're having trouble with something like dotted 8th notes, or weird time signatures like 7/8 or 13/12 or 183934/3854730 (:)) or whatever it may be, maybe slow yourself down, play it slow at first using the metronome and speed up once u get the hang of it. those dotted 8th notes are a real pain, i hated them when i played the piano

[eische]

hmmm, but dotted eighth »work« just the same way as dotted quarters, just quicker???

...well, and there is only one way to count correctly, keep on counting, first at songs you don't play yourself...- I don't know if this will be "more" helpfull, at least you won't confuse yourself so much, if you don't have to pay attention to what you play...
...yepp, and get a good metronome, one that is able to put stresses on beats...

[GuitarJo]

I can't help you! I used to play piano and have sang in choir for years, but I do all my music by ear I guess naturally and don't really count...I bet I am awful lol. Good luck

[JetDrive]

The metronome never lies. Once you realize that it is always on perfect timed intervals and you pick your notes exactly to the metronome beat your rhythm will improve and jamming with a drum-master with 60 or 100 rhythms that you can speed up or turn down really helps.

If you want to learn the notes on the fretboard check out www.magma.ca/~ldp77777 you can view a colour coded guitar fretboard and scales training poster that will really help you understand the chemistry of the fretboard and how it all fits together. if you got any questions e=mail me at ldp77777@magma.ca

[Mettra]

The easiest way to figure out more complex rhythmic notation is to write it into a MIDI or Powertab or something that can play it back for you. Just use regular 4/4 time and experiment with dotted 8th's. Remember to fill in a whole measure, and to count up to four quarter notes total to make sure you have it.

For example:

Q = quarter
etc.
. = dotted
etc.

Q. E E. S Q
1&2 & 3e& u 4


Try to input complex rhythms like that and practice completing the measure by counting up all the counts.

[Perfect4th]

My new Boss tuner/metronome allows to change the time sig to a degree. But like Popmusic_sux posted, take it slow then build the speed up.

Peace!