Metronome Question: How to not lose the ONE...

[Lichtaffen]

So I've been using one of those dial types of metronomes for years and I always had the problem of losing track of the ONE. It would be tough to tell, but I knew I was off. I bought a Boss DB-30 recently, which you can set the one to beep in a different tone. Now it's a lot easier to play through pieces and not get lost.

Here's the question: Am I just being lazy by using a metronome with a distinctive ONE beat? How can you develop the ability to not lose the ONE? I personally do feel like this is a lazy way of playing, but I'd like everyone's opinion.

[Stereo Joe]

Try setting the metronome to half-speed of whatever you're working on and playing so that the beats line up on only '2' and '4'. That way you always have to feel the downbeat because the metronome isn't giving it to you, just helping you keep your tempo steady.

[gregmerrill]

Stereo Joe I love that exercise-hi hat on 2-4 great for working out swing grooves. Also put beats/minute to 40 and play a piece of music as if your in 80 or 160/minute. This makes you subdivide for your self and your only using the dome to make sure your landing on beat one. It will keep you from rushing or let you know quickly if you rush or drag you got to subdivide in your head the dome is only used as reference. I would not worry to much if you get lost without an accent on beat one you will only get better.

[agreatheight]

Count

[Largedon]

Definately follow Stereo Joes advice. Great way to develop your time and feel. You can also take this farther by working on exercises with the click on just the 1, 2, 3 or 4 and then you can also place the click on upbeats (ie 1..<click>...2..<click>..etc). Learn to do this and time and feel will be much improved.

I learned this from a William Calhoun (drummer for Living Colour) article in I believe Modern Drummer, but it translates great to bass. Heck, the article even took to placing the click on different parts of the 16ths. Very nasty at first, but really develops feel and time.

[gregmerrill]

Yes agree with Largedon on putting click everywhere and anywhere

[TimoMetzemakers]

Originally Posted by Largedon

You can also take this farther by working on exercises with the click on just the 1, 2, 3 or 4 and then you can also place the click on upbeats (ie 1..<click>...2..<click>..etc). Learn to do this and time and feel will be much improved.

+1. This is a great tip! I've been working on that for a while myself, and it really makes a difference.

It's hard at first, but the results are worth it.

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Check this out. Hope it helps.

[Lichtaffen]

Alvaro, yes that does help!

Thanks gang. This is exactly what I needed to hear. And I gather that I was being lazy with the accented 'one'. Time to get to work on the 2 and 4.

[damon106]

Originally Posted by Alvaro Martín Gómez A.

Check this out. Hope it helps.

Damn ! good post... emily remler does a great job of explaining how to work with the metronome to improve your time... and I always liked her playing... nice !