Worship Musician August 2018 | Page 92

KEYS
MULTITASKING FOR MUSICIANS | Ed Kerr
It ’ s happening again . They ’ re everywhere ! Some of the most popular worship songs around the world today are using a particular rhythmic figure . Since it ’ s so popular , it ’ s important that each of us are comfortable playing the figure .
The figure that ’ s being used so often is called a duple , and it ’ s heard in songs that are in triple meter , 3 / 8 and 6 / 8 . The most popular song that uses duple figures today is “ Reckless Love ”. This song has resonated with believers around the world like few songs have recently and rocketed to the top 10 CCLI songs very quickly . The melody of the chorus is almost exclusively duple figures .
Another song that uses lots of duple figures is “ Who You Say I Am ”. It ’ s also gaining great popularity in the church around the world . And it ’ s another reason for each of us to be comfortable playing duples .
First , use a metronome for these exercises . There are tons of metronome apps for your smart phone , tablet , or laptop , and many of them free . Get one and get in the habit of practicing with it . Set the metronome to click for each 8th note . I suggest you use “ Who You Say I Am ” for this exercise . A good metronome setting for the song is 172 . It may sound like an awfully fast click , but that click is going to help you feel the groups of three more easily .
Second , get comfortable with counting each of the beats of the measure out loud , or at least thinking of the numbers as you play some steady 8th notes on your instrument . In 6 / 8 , for example , be able to count 1-2- 3-4-5-6 .
Simply put , a duple figure is 2 against 3 . Two notes are played ( or sung ) against three . It ’ s musical multitasking , and calls for you and I to do several things at once . The basic pulse in 3 / 8 or 6 / 8 is groups of 3 eighth notes , like this .
In 3 / 8 , be able to count 1-2-3 .
Here ’ s a melodic figure from “ Who You Say I Am ” that works well for this exercise . Start your metronome and as you play these notes , say or think “ 1-2-3-4-5-6 ” as you play . Play whatever melodic pattern you choose . The important thing here is to play a stream of 8th notes that fill the 6 beats in the measure .
So , duple figures occur when two notes fit in the space of three . Playing these duple figures with their contrasting rhythms might already come naturally for you , but some of you might still struggle with playing them confidently and accurately . Here are some tips to help you become comfortable playing duples .
92 August 2018 WorshipMusician . com