Metronome versus Time Signature

[caddyjoe77]

Hello, this may be a complete Newbie question but my tempo is quite bad unfortunately. Lets say that i can keep up for a measure or 2, then i either let the cranium get in the way and forget or else i start going way to fast.

So, i thought about a metronome. What i would like to know is: Does a specific metronome setting equate to a time in music? I.E. 4/4 time generally equals 40 BPM?

I understand 4/4 will be 1,2,3,4 1,2,3,4 1,2,3,4 but how does that, if it does, equate to a metronome beat?

Thanks

[Chipsonfire]

The speed of the metronome doesn't govern the music time, just the tempo. For instance, you can have music in 4/4 with a metronome set at 160 bpm, or you can have music in 2/2 with the 'nome set at 40 bpm, or you could music set to 7/4 at 100 bpm. All a metronome does is keep time; it's up to you to decide exactly what time it's keeping. Make sense?

[caddyjoe77]

Originally Posted by Chipsonfire

The speed of the metronome doesn't govern the music time, just the tempo. For instance, you can have music in 4/4 with a metronome set at 160 bpm, or you can have music in 2/2 with the 'nome set at 40 bpm, or you could music set to 7/4 at 100 bpm. All a metronome does is keep time; it's up to you to decide exactly what time it's keeping. Make sense?

Yes it makes sense, thank you.

So any tips to work on tempo? Obviously practice, but if my practice is bad, wont that effect me negatively?

right now i am doing a simple 1234 accross each string, trying to keep the same tempo. I am also doing 1234, 2345, 3456, 4567 and then back down the opposite way as i move from string to string.

Will that help?

Thanks, i appreciate it.

[Tropic]

I would use a metronome and then after I get the tempo in my head, turn off the metrone and try playing without it. After playing a few times with it, turn the metronome back on and see if you're still on the beat. This way you can get the temp internally and keep it up to pace.

[acubass]

Try not to react to the metronome but Feel it. This took me a while. If you are a newbie I would recomend just playing single quarter notes to the metronome. It sounds boring but if you are just starting out you will appreciate it after about 10 years or so....

[Chipsonfire]

What I always hear is to practice slow. It's harder to stay in time when the beats are far apart. There's a Vic Wooten demo on some metronome practice techniques here that can help you get an idea of how you might want to use it. Just search around and try to be creative about how you can use a 'nome to practice your timing.

[dalkowski]

Also, don't be afraid to slow it down if it helps your groove. Good luck!

[kingbee]

Another tip that really helped me out was to cut the metronome's tempo in half so it clicks on every other beat. Then play as if the clicks are landing on 2 and 4. That'll leave the 1 and 3 open for you and you can get into a bit more of a swing with it.

[chondro776]

Originally Posted by kingbee

Another tip that really helped me out was to cut the metronome's tempo in half so it clicks on every other beat. Then play as if the clicks are landing on 2 and 4. That'll leave the 1 and 3 open for you and you can get into a bit more of a swing with it.

The converse (inverse?) works as well....I like to set mine for 8ths to work out more intricate stuff.

[caddyjoe77]

thanks guys/gals(if there are any)

i may not be the best, but it sure is a blast!!

[Stumbo]

You might want to take a look at this metronome demo by Victor Wooten.
http://www.korg.com/ProSessionDetails.aspx?ID=647
Gives some great tips on how to utilize the 'nome.

[kingbee]

Originally Posted by chondro776

The converse (inverse?) works as well....I like to set mine for 8ths to work out more intricate stuff.

Yeah, if you want to get really adventurous and challenge your groove skills, set it to play 8ths and play against them as the off beats. In other words, let the 123 and 4 hit on the spaces between the metronome clicks. It can really help you get into a funky place.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by caddyjoe77

thanks guys/gals(if there are any)

i may not be the best, but it sure is a blast!!

That's what counts, bro. It's all about having fun. And there's nothing more fun than working on something till you get it down. And you will if you want it bad enough.

[dotn1983]

Get a digital metronome they have diffrent time signatures if that's what you're worried about and to answer your question a metronome will help with your timing alot.

[ByF]

Ed Friedland's book, "Working Bassist's Tool Kit" has some very good exercizes for the metronome. He doesn't get quite as far off the beaten path as Victor Wooten, but he explains them very well. I have been working out of that chapter for some months now, and it has helped my time a lot. I always warm up with the metronome now, before I work on anything else.

Ed

[pretaanluxis]

When you practice riffs or are making up new ones always play along to a metronome.
If they sound rushed, practice them at a slower bmp and strive for consistency in attack, volume and note duration. Then once you've got the muscle memory down, slowly increase the speed till you can play them at the desired speed

[bassrique]

This is a great metronome for "odd" time.

http://www.webmetronome.com/