I am trying to play "Massachuetts" in a really simple version because I am only trying to play stuff I can sight read. I can sight read this easily as far as the melody is concerned especially because I know the tune. The chords are easy too: C, F & G7. I can play left and right hands separately.

The problem at the moment is that I don't seem to be able to put both hands together and maintain a steady rythm. Somehow I am not feeling the beat. I am now using the metronome to get it right. At the moment I worried that this is a fundamental problem I have always had.

The irony is that my obective was to improve my sight reading by playing lots of simple pieces and I seem to be stuck for hours not because I can't sight read it but because I can't get the timing right.

Maybe the timing is more difficult on some popular pieces than the classical stuff I have been playing.

Hello. I have found that my timing needs help to. I read some old posts and came across a recommendation for a book called Basic Timing for Pianists by Allan Small. That sent me on a search for a good timing and rhythm book. I ended up ordering the book by Allan Small after looking at it and others. I don't have it yet, as its in transit. I'm certain it will help me though and I'm looking forward to using it. Perhaps you might take a look at it and others. There looks to be some good ones out there. Alfreds, among others.

Thanks a lot. This book looks great. I have ordered it from Amazon.

Last night at my weekly lesson my teacher demonstarted counting (1+2+3+4+ etc) loud as a guide to maintaining the rhythm and I think it is a simple way of doing it and very effective.

Hi,
I had alot of rhythm problems despite having had three teachers. They all overlooked this problem or would just keep saying - play in rhythm (ok I thought I was).

When I started with my current teacher she correct this right away. I did alot of rhythm work away from the piano.

I worked with a rhythm book, she would have me read the lines of rhyty=hm and say Ta along with it and correct me when I was off. This helped me tremendously. She said the difference was like night and day. Prior to this I thought I just had no rhythm. But it can be learned - I am proof of that.

She also said, when starting a new peice to learn and memorize the rhytym first. So, take the music, look it over, clap,tap or say ta, to the rhythm of the music. That way when you learn to play it that part is taken care of and you can focus on the notes and dynamics. If you need to slow it down at first while you are learning the song thats ok as long as you keep the rhythm steady.

I thought that was great advice and the work I did on this really paid off.

I hope this helps. I know you can do it!!!

I recommend buying a metronome that says the beat divisions out loud for you. The company 'Boss' makes them that say '1 ee and ah 2 ee and ah' etc. This helps you to internalize counting in your mind so that you naturally start to count that way.

Any student I've had who is experiencing issues with timing and rhythm, i have them practice with a metronome or a drum track. If you can get your hands on any kind of drum loops, these are typically more to to play along with than a click.

Also, consider purchasing a book of songs that come with play-along tracks. This way you have to keep steady rhythm and it's like having a band behind you at the same time...

When I was still learning how to figure out rhythms, I found it helpful just to find some music and the score and just read along. After doing this for so long, I finally "understood" what a particular string of notes would sound like - for example, I could hear (in my head) what successive eighth-notes sounded like, and etc... So maybe it would help you to just find examples of rhythms you are struggling with and read and listen to the score.

Once you know what these rhythms should sound like, you'll be absolutely golden.

Good luck!