Before all, forgive me if I posted this in the wrong area.

Thanks.

Beat deafness:

Beat deafness is a form of congenital amusia characterized by a person's inability to feel musical rhythm or move in time to it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beat_deafness

I need some help from you guys, so I can help a brother out and myself.

My situation is this, I have a friend who love rapping (quitting is not an option), and for gods sake I can not make him understand the first rule of music, TIME!!! COORDINATION!!

Most of the time when he sings, rap or try to make a beat ( ) he is offbeat, of-time. And I seriously want to help him so at the same time I help myself, because me being a Music Director/Producer he rely on me for instrumentals, recording, EQ, master, everything!. And I do not mind doing it, but it is a pain, it is impossible, it is heart breaking to work with somebody who was not born with rhythm (Is that even possible?

Any toughs?

 

get Him or tell him to Get a physical music metronome that has a old school pendulum or a iPhone or android phone App that you can set the tempo and he can practice his timing thats the only thing i can think of

 

There are also some digital metronomes (apps) that literally count 1, 2, 3, 4 for you. And I heard somewhere that there are some where you can record your own voice saying "one", "two", "three", "four" so it's not so intrusive.

Another thing to try, instead of counting 1 to 4, try 1 to 8, or on the other hand, 1 to 2. I know it sounds weird, but some people get lost in count 3 and 4.

I've also heard that this can be related to inner ear problems. Does your friend have any slight balance problems when walking or standing on one foot?

Once last thing that comes to mind is that sometimes, when one of our senses is weak, another one can be really strong, for instance: vision. And imagine a type of metronome that changes colours with every beat count, so instead of counting "1, 2, 3, 4" you count "red, green, blue, black". Believe me, dome people find that easier to remember. I haven'y seen any like that, but I wonder if that would be something to try. Otherwise, lyric8's idea of a physical pendulum mentronome is a good idea, if following this principle. This one looks interesting. This one also has lights to show the current beat.

Good luck with this, mate. What you are doing for your friend is very noble. It would be great to hear of any progress. And yes, NEVER give up.

 

What they said is what I was gonna say.

Metronome and counting EVERY piece of music he hears. DJ beat matching would be the supreme exercise for him, plus, it is simply a sweet skill to possess!!! Clapping, tapping and nodding to the groove all help us to stay on point as well I guess.

Best of luck with it, I can imagine how frustrating this must get for you. I had a mate, a really good mate, who I used to go raving with back in the day. That fella had not one jot of rhythm anywhere in him. Bless, he used to try so hard to get his groove on, but alas, I don`t he ever got with the beat.

 

Yes, you need to go to the police. Rape is a serious offence! :D

 

Enjoying raping, without actually raping people, is tough.
There are these electric muscle stimulators (EMS, aka NMES) devices, with electrodes that you can place around the genitals. You can then set the BPM and the strength/voltage of the muscle contraction. It can be quite painful/enjoyable, and will thus teach the brain about timing in no-time, especially for people who are into raping.

Seriously though - a metronome is the ultimate tool. Use it often and for about 30-40 minutes each time (tapping 4ths, 8ths, 16ths, triplets, dotted, pauses, etc and then mix and match, improvise). Also practice/rapping/drumming/tapping along to music. Doing splits/dual (different rhythm with each hand) and polyrhythms. Practicing paradiddles, swing, flams, etc etc. If you have timing in your hands it will transfer to the mouth for rapping.

I started playing drums at age 4 and went to study drums at musicschool from age 13 to 20. I'm still playing the drums, but as a hobby (for 7 years it was my profession as a touring drummer).

 

Demon is right, metronomes is the solution... Make him listen to a metronome during his sleep, his subconscious need to learn it the easy way...

Besides, he might also have stress problems... at first, slow bpm down and let him feel the groove...

Hope that helps... ;)

 

Hahahahahaha SmartLad!!!

 

Sounds like your buddy is just pursuing the wrong musical path...

The Jerk

 

Steve Vai, a very good guitarist and teacher, once said it was better to quit making music if you don't get, at least, basic rhythm. And he is not a rude guy...but he loves truth and seeing ppl finding their way.

I would say the best way to express yourself with words and music, but no rhythm, is slam, "ancestor" of rap.
Before doing rap vocals on vinyl breaks and such, there was "slam". No beat, rhythm support. Just a mike, and you a** on the scene.
You can, at least, use some background noises, orchestral beds, ambiances...but no beat.

Slam can be more like poetry. You replace music by more quality on words. And unlike what some ppl say, it can be violent too

Until there is a cure for beat troubles, i don't see another way. Working hard with a metronome can't be enough, and may kill creativity. You've got a problem with beat ? Remove it. That's my vision

Something like
[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewQsrtGO0mA[/media]
Or

 

"And I seriously want to help him so at the same time I help myself, because me being a Music Director/Producer he rely on me for instrumentals"

Him as a rapper : he can't record, or efficiently rap without proper rythm basis. Give him one year to train. >1h /day , ideally 2. Every f**$ing day. Using metronome.
You as a producer : if you wanna help yourself, find another singer. Even if it's only for a year.

If the first time you hear a metronome is when you record, you're not goin' anywhere.

Pipotron : please, google "rap" , it means rythm and... POETRY.
If you wanna be a runner, don't quit sayin' "too hard, let's have a walk instead" : RUN. and to run efficiently you need training.

 

Oh my! Rapping...

Sorry for my English, I am Spanish.

 

Thanks everybody, I have a pretty good Idea in what to do...

I will give you guys a report on how is going.

 

Buena suerte, amigo!

 

Ah don't apologise your english is very good. I couldn't help make a joke of that though

How's it going? If you're still struggling why don't you record him and just chop up his vocals and place them all in time in the right place. Then play it back to him so he knows how it should be sounding and try another take.

 

Update:

My guy has inproved a lot, counting the beat 1/2 2/4 4/8 2/8 etc etc and I just need to work on make him understand he can not record noting yet until he is ready.

 

After more than two years working with my friend, he improved a lot, unfortunately I stopped working with him full time. The occasions I work with him is to help and see his progress but at the end of the day, he still don't get it...

 

I've seen your guy...

 

Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings got into a bitter arguement in the studio because Willie cannot sing or play guitar in time. His fans accept the fact though. It drives me crazy to watch him live. Of course, never been a fan either.