Timing is very important in any kind of music. The first measure of a piece of tablature contains a Time Signature that tells the banjo player how many equal beats each measure contains.
The top number in a Time Signature tells us the number of beats in one measure. Each measure that fallows a Time Signature has the same number of beats. 2/4 Time has two beats per measure.
You'll learn more about the bottom number in the time signature later in Timing 102
To create even timing, a banjo player needs a Metronome. A metronome is a device that clicks evenly at adjustable speeds. These speeds tell the banjo player how fast or slow to play a tune. Metronome speed is measured in BPM's or Beats Per Minute. After you set your BPM speed, the metronome helps you count out the beats in each measure at an even rate.
Set your metronome to 40 BPM. turn it on and use the even beats of the metronome as a trigger for you eyes to move to the next beat in the measure. Ex (1st Click) eyes on the first part of the first measure .(2nd CLICK) eyes focus on the second half of the first measure. (3rd CLICK) eyes on the first part of the second measure.
Now practice reading theses measure using your metronome.
Author Glenn Miller.
Copyright © 2003 [Kentucky banjo]. All rights reserved.
Revised:
09/15/07