Comment by Joel Hooks yesterday

You might find it helpful to take a pencil and write over the top of each measure the beat, "1-2-3, 1-2-3, etc.".  As you are playing along with a metronome (very slowly), have the metronome click on each beat while you count out loud.  If your metronome has a bell feature (digital metronomes will have something similar) set it to ring on the first beat, "bell-2-3, bel-2-3"

You also might want to listen to this while reading along with the music as I think you skipped a measure or two as something does not add up.

Comment by Austin yesterday

I don't think I've ever gotten any better by playing with a metronome. All it does is make me angry. I'd rather feel the music than the beat

Comment by Austin yesterday

I know eventually I'm going to have to get better at rhythm but I don't see it happening

Comment by IAN SALTER yesterday

What does feeling the music, rather than the beat, mean to you?

Comment by thereallyniceman 23 hours ago

Your committment to not playing in time with a metronome is impressive, but may I suggest that "Dances" are meant to be played in time so that the dancers can follow the beat. Also I have found that the metronome is "always" right. Are you angry with the metronome or with yourself for not being able to keep in time with it?

This piece is in 6/8 time and 6/8 can be pain to count in your head if you are counting 1-2-3-4-5-6, or 1-2-3-1-2-3.

I find that it is easier to keep the beat by counting : 1-and-and 2-and-and, 1-and-and 2-and-and

This sets the 6/8 rhythm as a simple 1 - 2  for each bar.

Here is a sample of Tony Trischka playing a slightly different version.. listen to the regular  1 and and, 2 and and beat.

SPANISH FANDANGO slow sample of Tony Trischka
Comment by Joel Hooks 22 hours ago

Right, I was not clear, the “-“in my post was a place holder for “and” out loud. I believe this is how A. J. Weidt has you do it.

Without time, rhythm, and counting there is no music.  It is just random noise. Even music that sounds like there is no time or rhythm actually has some.  You might spend a couple min before your practice with the metronome just sounding one note in time to the click and counting.  

If you can’t play in time and count you will never be able to play with anyone else or an accompaniment.  You are pretty much dead in the water if you expect to pursue music without it. 

Comment by Austin 17 hours ago

Probably both mad at the metronome and myself. I thought it was 3/4. 

Comment by Austin 17 hours ago

Yeah I know I'm dead in the water if I can't keep time. I doubt I'll ever be able to do it though. Especially with complicated ragtime. 

Comment by Jody Stecher 16 hours ago

In Eureka method the time signature is 3/4. In several others, including 3 in the library here, it is notated in 6/8.

Same tune.  Different distribution of ink.

Comment by thereallyniceman 16 hours ago

Thank you Jody and apologies Austin!  I made the mistake of not looking at the Winners version.

The rhythm sounds like it is played in 6/8 and not 3/4.

Here is W. Jacobs arrangement:

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