For the rhythm-challenged:

One thing I've come to realize singing in a Men's Chorus, and starting my own group, is that people can be extremely gifted in many ways, and yet have serious problems with something that comes naturally to someone far less gifted. Let me give an example (or two.)

There is a man who sings in the Men's Chorus I am in who has one of the best voices in the Chorus. He knows a seemingly endless repertoire of old black gospel and loves to sing. But, he has very little sense of rhythm. When the Chorus Director gives him a lead to sing on occasion, this man can't tell when he is supposed to come in, and because he is leading everyone else, the song often completely disintegrates. He will not come in on the beat for the chorus, and the rest of the singers will come in on time. This man has sung in choirs and even in a gospel quintet for most of his adult life, and yet he can't feel the rhythm. I've watched the Chorus Director, who is a wonderfully generous and patient man try to work with this man, to help him get the rhythm. One thing he tries to do is get the man to slap his leg with his hand in rhythm to the beat, and that seems to help. It's the only technique I've seen that seems to work. The man still struggles, but after all these years, he seems to be making some progress. He is a wonderful person and a good friend, so I do everything that I can to encourage him. I think that the best thing that has happened is that the Chorus Director is no longer trying to compensate for him. For a long time, the rest of the Chorus hesitated until this man came in, even off-beat, and then we came in.

Last Sunday, I heard the Women's Chorus sing, and another favorite person of mine was singing the lead. She has a powerful, Aretha Franklin voice and puts every bit of emotion and feeling into her singing. I've heard her sing for many years, and she has always been rock solid. But, for some strange reason, she had trouble keeping the beat and the Chorus Director had to keep adding, or taking away beats, to keep in time with her. That really surprised me. It was a good reminder that humility is one of the best virtues we all can have, as singers, musicians and people. Even the best of all singers and instrumentalists can get off beat, or off key (or forget the words.)

My only advice on learning to keep rhythm is to make it physical.. by tapping your foot or slapping your hand against your thigh. I think that when you can ingrain the rhythm into your body, then you will have an easier time "getting rhythm."

Come to our Gospel Workshop at NOMAD, Vixen. We'll get you moving!

Jerry