Getting In The Groove
Are you in the groove? Rhythm is one of the core elements of music and is particularly important in styles like Pop, Rock, and Hip Hop, but it doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Singers - especially those just learning to sing at a more professional level - are notorious for having questionable timing. Sometimes, we’re late, we’re early, we can’t find the rhythm, or we fall out of sync with the drummer.
Bad vocal instruction is partially to blame for this; many voice teachers don’t spend nearly as much time - if any - on basic music theory as they do physical technique. If you don’t know how to count beats or even what a beat is, it can feel almost impossible to keep track of entrances and exits without heavy musical cues from your band.
It’s also just really hard to count and sing at the same time! Singing requires a lot of multitasking; you have to keep track of a lyric, deliver it with conviction, practice good mic technique, and make sure your using all of the full-body vocal techniques you’ve been learning to sing at your best. And then you’re supposed to be counting on top of that?!
Here’s the secret: you don’t really need to count if you can feel “the pocket”.
You may have heard musician friends use the term “pocket” before, most likely in reference to a drummer or bass player as either a compliment or a complaint (i.e.: “Man, she’s totally in the pocket!” or “That bassist can’t find the pocket to save his life”). Being “in the pocket” means being completely synced up to the rhythm of the song. Imagine seeing a great band perform live; not only is the drummer super consistent, but all the other musicians are locked in with the beat she’s set and are playing as a unit. Those musicians aren’t counting in their heads, they’re feeling the rhythm in their bodies.
Counting will help you stay in time, but not in the pocket; feeling gets you in the pocket.
One of the best ways to start to feel the groove is to sing the drum part to your favorite song. Listen to where the drummer accents a beat with a cymbal or high hat; pay attention to the pattern of the kick drum and snare. Now try to sing the basic drum pattern, whether that’s singing syllables that represent different parts of the drum set (“boom tap boom boom tap tsss!”) or full on beatboxing!
However you choose to sing the drums, make sure you get your body into it. Let yourself sway and move with the groove. Dance if you want to! The goal of this exercise is to feel the rhythm in your body. Repeat this exercise with any songs you’re learning.
“Counting will help you stay in time, but not in the pocket; feeling gets you in the pocket.”
The same way practicing vocal exercises eventually allows you to use proper technique without having to think about it, practicing singing the drums will allow you to naturally fall into the pocket. Over time, you’ll find yourself instinctively feeling the groove without having to sing along.
Developing your sense of rhythm and timing will help you improve your musicality and the quality of your performance. When you feel the groove, your audience does too. In addition, it can also make you a better band member; it’s one thing to lead the tempo of a song with intention, it’s another thing to have your bandmates scrambling to pick up your dropped beats or compensate for your missed entrances. You’ll find your overall musical interaction with your band improving as you begin to understand and feel the groove.
Give this technique a try and let us know what you learned! How did it change the way you sing or perform your favorite songs?
Book a Lesson to Level Up Your Musicianship
Want to take your musicianship to the next level? Lessons are one of the best ways to develop your skills, from finding the groove to pitch accuracy. Get in touch and don’t forget to Love Your Voice!
If you’re ready to improve your rhythm and musicianship, get in touch with Zelda to set up a lesson!
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