Keeping time with your foot

[sinebar]

How many people here use your foot to keep time while reading music? I a little confused about this issue. Should I try to count in my head, which is difficult or use my foot? The bad thing about using my foot is it can slow me down because I'm trying to do 2 things at once and coordinating them.

[PiccoloShorty]

if you are in marching band it would help to try to keep time with your foot, it will help with marching
if not then it doesnt really matter, whatever you need to do to keep time will work

[pied_piper]

Generally, it's best not to tap your foot. It's a bad habit to get into because it will inevitably slip into your performances. In professional situations it can be considered rude, distracting, and a sign of non-professionalism.

[fluteguy18]

My opinions vary on this subject. While you are still learning, I think it is beneficial to tap your foot. As you get better, it is generally better to tap your toe inside your shoe. Then, you will get to a point where you don't need to tap.

I only have a couple of ensemble situations that I ever actually tap my foot in. It is when either in my Woodwind Quintet we are falling apart, or when in Wind Symphony when there are different meters within the band [example: the brass playing in 3/4, and the woodwinds playing in 7/8 ]. But even then, I do it very discreetly, and only as short as possible.

But, depending on your experience, I do not see it as a neccessarily bad thing. If you do decide to tap your foot, I would recommend just tapping your heel. It is more discreet.

[fluttiegurl]

I was taught to "internalize the beat." For 10 years, I had not idea what this actually meant, but as far as I knew, I did it. Now I understand that this is to feel the beat throughout your body which requires little physical reaction to the beat itself. When I work with beginners, I start by gently tapping on their backs, signifying that the beat is steady and demonstrating tat it can be fast or slow. I do not teach them to tap their feet (and definitely not to move their heads as I have had some transfer students do initially-especially band students), but to feel the pulse as they play. It sounds quite obscure, but apparently it works. The students I start from the beginning tend to have exceptional rhythm. The band director I work with has the students tap when they re clapping the rhythm initially then stop when they are playing.

Now, there are times when I am trying with all my might to keep a small ensemble together in rehearsal and there is not a metronome in sight. These times, I tap my foot (loudly) so we have an audio guide. That pesky metronome keeps falling out of my bag

So my stance on foot tapping is this, if you never start it, you will never do it. Also in conjunction with this, don't move any part of your body with the beat if you can keep from it. Movement, as long as it is not distracting to the sound, is OK, but movement to the beat is inappropriate in my opinion.

[Leelee]

My teachers have always had me tap my big toe, but just slightly. It helps me keep the beat tremendously well. I know some people do better counting in their head or using a metronome, but this works for me. I'm discreet about it so I don't think it's noticeable.

[Dannan]

Generally, it's best not to tap your foot. It's a bad habit to get into because it will inevitably slip into your performances. In professional situations it can be considered rude, distracting, and a sign of non-professionalism.

I concur with this response. Foot tapping is a terrible habit to get into and the easiest way to prevent it is to avoid it from the get-go, as ingrained bad habits are extremely difficult to break. Foot-tapping really looks awful during performance (unless you're maybe improvising with a jazz band!) and I can't imagine that any teacher would want to see his/her pupil keeping count in this unprofessional manner - plus it is distracting to an audience. Keep your feet still and learn how to count measures mentally. This approach will reward you ten-fold later on!

[Kraken]

SAlud!

My teachers have always had me tap my big toe, but just slightly.

I like this one.

[fluteman1957]

As you get better, it is generally better to tap your toe inside your shoe. Then, you will get to a point where you don't need to tap.

This is exactly what I was taught years ago. After a while you develop the ability to "feel" the beat and no assistance ir required from any body part...

[atoriphile]

James Galway seems to be tapping his foot quite a bit lately....

[fluteguy18]

Are you talking about when he played Ibert on his most recent tour? I know I would be tapping my toe in my shoe at least if I were playing it with orchestra..... :/

[Saxguy]

Hmmmm.... Ever see a collection of performers tapping their feet -- each at his own tempo?

I think the "internal metronome" can be more accurate than the one provided through moving your foot, toe, or what have you. Remember, it's that internal metronome that sets the foot in action. The the foot tells you the tempo? That's an extra step. (Pun not really intended!)

If you are used to tapping your foot, that's a hard habit to break right away, but once you do, you should find that feeling the tempo internally without making any part of your body keep time is more accurate.

Steve

[fii]

I also tap my foot, but only when I sight-reading a sheet.

After I know the music and am performing it in a concert, I'll just count the beat by waving my hand a little (if I'm not playing) and tap my toe inside the shoes if I'm playing.