Play-Alongs for Time/Groove
Practice with the following mp3 files to calibrate your groove.
Afro-Cuban 12/8
This mp3 play-along presents a pretty standard Afro-Cuban 12/8 groove over C7. By using the Amazing Slowdowner as your mp3 player you can transpose it to other keys and change the tempo.
| c7_12-8_groove.mp3 |
Basic Mambo
This mp3 play-along presents a basic mambo groove over C7. Again, by using the Amazing Slowdowner as your mp3 player you can transpose it to other keys and change the tempo.
| c7_mambo_vamp.mp3 |
Introduction: D minor
This first time feel exercise will help you shift between different feels that are related by a common tempo. The harmonic structure is D minor throughout.
Practicing Strategy
Five time-feels listed below. Start with "double-time swing" and improvise lines that convey a double-time swing feel for the entire length of the play-along. Don't move on to the next time-feel until you can easily and consistently maintain the time-feel (you are working on) throughout the play-along.
-double-time swing
-real-time even 8th
-real-time swing
-double-time Afro-Cuban 12/8
-real-time Afro-Cuban 12/8
-double-time swing
-real-time even 8th
-real-time swing
-double-time Afro-Cuban 12/8
-real-time Afro-Cuban 12/8
| time_feel_shift_ex_1_dmin.mp3 |
Swing to Afro Cuban 12/8 Without Bass
This mp3 provides a drum set track that alternates between a basic medium swing beat and an implied Afro-Cuban 12/8 groove. Use this play-along track when practicing tunes, scales or patterns.
| swing_to_12-8_no_bass.mp3 |
Ballads!!!
The time-shift game is essential on ballads. Just as before, start with "double-time swing" and improvise lines that convey a double-time swing feel for the entire length of the play-along. Don't move on to the next time-feel until you can easily and consistently maintain the time-feel (you are working on) throughout the play-along.
-double-time swing
-real-time even 8th
-real-time swing
-double-time Afro-Cuban 12/8
-real-time Afro-Cuban 12/8
-double-time swing
-real-time even 8th
-real-time swing
-double-time Afro-Cuban 12/8
-real-time Afro-Cuban 12/8
"Embraceable You" changes
| ballad_rhythm_embraceable.mp3 |
"Misty" changes
| ballad_rhythm_misty.mp3 |
"I Can't Get Started" changes
| ballad_rhythm_cant_get.mp3 |
Up-Tempo Tunes
The time-shift game will eliminate that frantic feeling that often overcomes us when we play tempos that are very fast. We get into the game a little differently on up-tempo tunes. This time start with "half-time swing" and improvise lines that convey a half-time swing feel for the entire length of the play-along. Don't move on to the next time-feel until you can easily and consistently maintain the time-feel (you are working on) throughout the play-along.
-half-time swing
-half-time even 8th
-half-time Afro-Cuban 12/8
If you focus on these time-feels in your practice, your real-time swing feel will begin to emerge in your playing in a very natural and unforced way.
-half-time swing
-half-time even 8th
-half-time Afro-Cuban 12/8
If you focus on these time-feels in your practice, your real-time swing feel will begin to emerge in your playing in a very natural and unforced way.
Up-Tempo Tunes
"Cherokee" changes
| swing_to_12-8_cherokee.mp3 |
"Lazy Bird" changes
| swing_to_12-8_lzbd.mp3 |
"What Is This Thing Called Love" changes
| time_feel_shift_ex_2_wittcl.mp3 |
Time Shift Over Other Common Progressions
"All The Things" changes
| swing_to_12-8_all_things.mp3 |
"How High The Moon Changes" or "Ornithology" changes
| swing_to_12-8_how_high.mp3 |
"Out Of Nowhere" changes
| swing_to_12-8_nowhere.mp3 |