Acoustic Ranch Blog

When Does the Note End? Simple Performance Practices

Many tout the virtue of good timing, learning to count a meter with the proper pulse. But one thing that is often overlooked in this discussion is when does a note begin and end. Many of us have heard, or been taught that it is good for the members of a group to come in at the same time. What I have also observed is that many don't know when a note ends. Mastering this can greatly improve your performance by showing that you make the choices of what the music is.

So, when does a note end? Let's use a whole note as an example. Most of you know that a whole note gets four beats in a 4/4 measure. The note begins at the beginning of the 1^st beat of the measure. Here is the part that many performers don't connect with until it is pointed out to them. The 4^th beat ends with the beginning of the 1^st beat of the next measure. Following this simple practice will greatly improve and polish your performance. 

Don't be vague about where notes begin and end in your performance.  When all of the members play this way it leads to great ensemble playing. You begin to listen and hear what each of the other members of the band are doing and you listen to yourself with the same keen ear that you have for the other members of your band.

If you are interested performance lessons, please, let me know.

-Adrian Yañez