Starting phrases on the off beats

**GuyBoden** · 04-10-2024, 07:06 AM

Starting a phrase on the off beat sounds good to my ears. (Sometimes known as pickups.)

I've been using these types of exercises to start my phrases.

I practice each phrase repeatedly in isolation of the others.

I like them.

Starting phrases on the off beats-starting-phrases-off-beat-png

**pamosmusic** · 04-10-2024, 07:46 AM

Pickups are just starting the phrase before the barline … starting on an upbeat or downbeat.

I also find the more compelling (and consistent) thing to be that lines end? on upbeats. Which all those do as well.

**AllanAllen** · 04-10-2024, 11:06 AM

How can you start before the bar when the guy before you ends after the bar?

**GuyBoden** · 04-10-2024, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by AllanAllen

How can you start before the bar when the guy before you ends after the bar?

You start on the bar after their solo, with a pickup.

**emanresu** · 04-10-2024, 12:39 PM

Another way is to shift the same phrase by 1 eight to forward. Or backward. Get some extra technique also - swing accent wise.
Useful when using legato a lot. The harmony can become the trouble then, of course.

**ragman1** · 04-10-2024, 12:42 PM

If you have any sense of rhythm you'll do it automatically. Always starting on the one is not musical. At all. Pick-ups are professional.

**rpjazzguitar** · 04-10-2024, 01:32 PM

Warren Nunes, when trading 4s would start early and end late. It became more like trading 5's and 3s. But, if the other player could keep up, the overlap could sound great.