Re: Introduction & Headrush Question

["K. Douglas Baldwin" <dbaldwin@suffolk.lib.ny.us>]

Jason Fink wrote:

>    With regard to the Headrush, I am having a little difficulty
>    during the looping function.  If I get a riff going, the looper
>    seems to have a pause before the repeat begins.  I am not sure if
>    it is a function of MY timing when I hit the switchs, or if the
>    box is just screwing with the timing.  As it is now, I get a loop
>    going, then pause to adapt any further playing to the new beat of
>    the loop.  Does that make any sense?
>
>    Can anyone advise a fledgling looper on making the most out of this
>    stomp box?


    It's interesting that using the Headrush , or any real-time 
"start-stop"
looping device really hones our rhythmic skills and alerts us to our
rhythmic inadequecies. The trick is to get your rhythm happening in 
advance,
and percieve the seam of the loop as the first beat of the repetition. For
example, if I were to create a two-measure loop, I would begin counting to
myself "1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4," etc. Then when I felt ready, I'd go "STOMP
(starting the loop), 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4, STOMP (ending/looping the loop)".
If my timing is good, the rhythm will be seamless. If I pause the tiniest
bit, there will be a pause in the loop. More commonly, it is human nature 
to
speed up while playing (even over two measures) so that the beginning of 
the
loop will be slower than the end, creating a herky-jerky jolt at the loop
seam. Hang with your metronome, relax, and focus on your breathing, and you
will honor the groove, and know where the One is.
Douglas Baldwin, Alpha male Coyote, the Trickster
dbaldwin@suffolk.lib.ny.us