Jam Block sounds like Metronome?

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TelePaul

TelePaul

J to the R O C
Okay, so this is more of an arrangement question...but can I get away 1/16th strikes on a Jam Block without it sounding metronomic? I'd like it to sound like part of the arrangement, not like some fuzzy metronome in the background.

Sorry if this is a bit vague.
 
Do you mean it actually "sounds" like a metronome? Or do you mean when you do 16th notes, it gets too robotic sounding. If it's the latter, then accents will make all the difference. If you hear a pattern in your head that would fit the rythm, then play it like that, with the accents. Every stroke at the same volume will sound like a drum machine's "stick" sound.

I hope this helps, though my answer might be as vague as you think your question is. :)
 
Or do you mean when you do 16th notes, it gets too robotic sounding. If it's the latter, then accents will make all the difference. If you hear a pattern in your head that would fit the rythm, then play it like that, with the accents. Every stroke at the same volume will sound like a drum machine's "stick" sound.

I hope this helps, though my answer might be as vague as you think your question is. :)

Yeah that's pretty much it. It's not much of a 'pattern'; just hitting the block every 8th or 16th note, but I'm trying to balance it with a Cajon and a Shaker track I have. Dunno, might just hold it back till the second verse and bring it in very quietly.
 
Yeah that's pretty much it. It's not much of a 'pattern'; just hitting the block every 8th or 16th note, but I'm trying to balance it with a Cajon and a Shaker track I have. Dunno, might just hold it back till the second verse and bring it in very quietly.

you could try hitting it at intervals of 3 within the context of 16th notes, leaving the last of the 16 beats without the hit. it's a pretty cool effect and has a mellow latin kind of feel. or sort of a bossa nova i guess. like this:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 and repeat.

or alternatively (which i think i generally prefer):

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
 
The pattern would depends also of the type of music which you are playing. Gerry Zaragemca
 
I'd have to agree with that the dynamics with which you play it will either keep it from sounding like a metronome or force it into sounding like a click track. You may want to make it more sparse than a regular count as well.
 
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