Comments on: An Easy Way To Do Your Song A Favor

By: Tony Conniff

Tony Conniff — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 05:45:05 +0000

In reply to Rich Meitin. Thanks, Rich!! TC

By: Tony Conniff

Tony Conniff — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 05:43:53 +0000

Jon,
Great point. I thought about this while I was writing, but decided that the choosing of the ‘right’ tempo is whole other can of worms and should be a topic for a separate post… which will be upcoming. Thanks for the reminder! You’re always a thought-provoking inspiration.
Best wishes,
Tony

By: Tony Conniff

Tony Conniff — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 05:41:00 +0000

In reply to Steve Notice. Truth! Thanks, Steve. Tony

By: Tony Conniff

Tony Conniff — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 05:40:19 +0000

In reply to Nancy Kelel.

Much appreciated, Nancy. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Best wishes,
Tony

By: Tony Conniff

Tony Conniff — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 05:39:35 +0000

In reply to Seth Glassman.

Well said, Seth!
Thanks,
Tony

By: Rich Meitin

Rich Meitin — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 04:10:22 +0000

Agree 100%

By: Jon Gordon

Jon Gordon — Thu, 31 May 2018 22:45:13 +0000

Good column Tony!
I would add that when recording to a constant tempo, it can be key to pick that tempo wisely. It needs to serve the groove and serve the vocal, and serve the overall sense of tension or easiness that the song is supposed to convey, since you’re taking the potential to slightly nudge the tempo in different sections out of the equation.
It can be a useful exercise to take a commercially recorded song that you like that has the kind of feel you want, and figure out the tempo as close as you can.
I, for one, am often finding commercial tempos to be faster than I imagined, mostly because I can’t sing as quickly and precisely as the singers I am fortunate enough to be able to hire. It can be very useful to work a little with your singer, and with outside references, before the tempo is set in stone. If there’s something wrong with the vocal delivery, experiment, and make sure it’s not a tempo issue.

By: Steve Notice

Steve Notice — Thu, 31 May 2018 21:57:43 +0000

Thank you for the blog on timing. Feels better knowing others have the same tendencies. Never had a problem working with a drummer, but solo acoustic – having to keep time while building emotion – is a recipe for speeding up.

By: Nancy Kelel

Nancy Kelel — Thu, 31 May 2018 15:28:51 +0000

I enjoyed your article and appreciate all the input you share on this site. Always something thought provoking, helpful and informative. Just saying thank you Tony Conniff.

By: Seth Glassman

Seth Glassman — Thu, 31 May 2018 15:04:53 +0000

Hey Tony, great column!

Much as I know many people think that ‘metronomic’ time can feel mechanical, I don’t believe that must be the case if the playing is done well. Rather, the groove can feel totally ‘weightless’ to me when there is no stress on the tempo – speeding up or slowing down. It’s an amazing feeling when done right: the groove can be incredibly delicate or extremely intense and have no tension where tension doesn’t belong. It’s a hard thing to describe, I know you know what I mean, and it’s what I always strive for. As I used to tell my daughter when she was learning to play, “Mr. Metronome is your friend.” He just happens to be the one person in the ensemble who is totally insensitive. If you don’t fight with him and accept his tempo, all is fine.