How to Fix Your Rhythm Between Guide Tones
What was the question?
Oscar mentioned that while the 3-to-7 voice leading system makes sense melodically, he struggles with the rhythm. Specifically, he finds it difficult to fill the time gap between playing the 7th of one chord and the 3rd of the next, often feeling "too late" or "too early."
(29:28)
The core idea (in plain English)
The gap between guide tones often feels empty because we haven't internalized enough rhythmic vocabulary. You don't need more notes to fix this; you need more rhythmic control. By taking just two notes and applying specific rhythmic permutations (changing when you play them), you can create infinite variations and feel more comfortable in the space between the changes.
(33:33)
Fretboard breakdown (what to play)
Limit Your Note Choice: Pick only two notes to play. Do not worry about melody, only rhythm.
Permutation 1: Play on beat 1 and beat 4. (Long gap). (34:52)
Permutation 2: Play on the downbeat of 1, but then anticipate the next note by playing on the and of 4.
Permutation 3: Mix them. Play variation A in the first measure and variation B in the second.
Common mistake to avoid
Stop searching for "filler notes" to fix a rhythm problem. A common mistake is thinking you need to play a flurry of eighth notes to get from point A to point B. Silence is okay, and simple rhythmic placement is stronger than a wall of notes.
A 10-minute practice assignment
Creating a rhythm permutation set:
Write down 3 simple rhythmic patterns using only two notes.
Set a metronome.
Play Pattern 1 for two minutes.
Play Pattern 2 for two minutes.
Spend the remaining time mixing them (Pattern 1 into Pattern 2).
This builds your internal clock so you don't panic during the "gap" in the chord changes.
(37:40)
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