Metronomes rule

joeyzaza · #1 11-21-2006, 11:55 AM

When you get used to using them, it soon becomes clear how ineffective practice sessions are without them. Not only are they invaluable for building solid timing, (how useless is a bassist who cannot keep in time?) but also great for keeping track of progress if you're aiming to get quicker. I think if there's one golden piece of advice I had to give another bassist, it would be to use a metronome.

joebingo · #2 11-21-2006, 03:27 PM

Bassist4Life · #3 11-21-2006, 03:49 PM

WHAT did you just say about metronomes?!

Joe

dave_p · #4 11-22-2006, 12:54 PM

i agree. i have to admit, i bought a metronome about 17 years ago and never used it(which is a mistake) while practicing my bass lessons or to guage my progress. since i have taken up drums i have been using it daily and it is an invaluable tool. the rewards can be seen right away. i wished i had taken the same approach with bass.

studentaccount1 · #5 11-22-2006, 01:16 PM

http://www.pinkandaint.com/weirdmet.shtml

Dave Grossman · #6 11-22-2006, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeyzaza

When you get used to using them, it soon becomes clear how ineffective practice sessions are without them. Not only are they invaluable for building solid timing, (how useless is a bassist who cannot keep in time?) but also great for keeping track of progress if you're aiming to get quicker. I think if there's one golden piece of advice I had to give another bassist, it would be to use a metronome.

Great advice!

I see the obligatory Jeff Berlin reference has already been made in this thread.

- Dave

Bassist4Life · #7 11-22-2006, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Grossman

Great advice!

I see the obligatory Jeff Berlin reference has already been made in this thread.

- Dave

It had to be done.

Joe

markjazzbassist · #8 11-22-2006, 04:02 PM

i love my metronome too.

Disc · #9 11-22-2006, 10:33 PM

I tried using one. That click is the sound of the devil

duo8675309 · #10 11-22-2006, 10:49 PM

I bookmarked this page.

http://www.metronomeonline.com/

Scottgun · #11 11-23-2006, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duo8675309

I bookmarked this page.

http://www.metronomeonline.com/

+1 on that one.

Or use the Amazing Slow Downer on your CD's

homercaholic · #12 11-25-2006, 10:32 AM

Im not going to lie, I still really dont know how to put one to good use. Ive tried counting with my foot but I would always get messed up. Ive only been playing for about a month im really a beginner it the biggest sense of the word. It just seems that the notes never fall on the clicks of the metronome, always in weird spots that I just can figure out in how to put them to the metronome. Im not sure if that will make sense to anyone but me

bassplayer2106 · #13 11-25-2006, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homercaholic

Im not going to lie, I still really dont know how to put one to good use. Ive tried counting with my foot but I would always get messed up. Ive only been playing for about a month im really a beginner it the biggest sense of the word. It just seems that the notes never fall on the clicks of the metronome, always in weird spots that I just can figure out in how to put them to the metronome. Im not sure if that will make sense to anyone but me

Ha ha, it makes perfect sense, and I remember how frustrating it can be when you first start out.

Just start off with the metronome set at a reasonable tempo, not too fast or too slow, about 70bpm. Just listen to the metronome for a couple of minutes first of all, and get into the tempo, start to anticipate when it's going to click, start to clap your hands to it. Then pick up your bass, and just play quarter notes, ie, one note per click. When you have got used to playing at that tempo change it, but just keep playing quarter notes, pretty boring I know, but percevere with it.

A good idea to get the feel for 8th notes is to set the metronome at a reasonable tempo, then pat your hand on your knee in time, when your hand is at its highest point, that is the 'and', of the 1 and 2 and 3 and etc, that is when to play the note, just practice that as well.

MammaryVest · #14 11-26-2006, 10:11 AM

Can someone explain what the hell Jeff Berlin's problem is? Condeming the use of metronomes, and tabs? I don't get it, is he some kind of ass?

dave_p · #15 11-27-2006, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MammaryVest

Can someone explain what the hell Jeff Berlin's problem is? Condeming the use of metronomes, and tabs? I don't get it, is he some kind of ass?

i have an article from bass player from years ago where berlin basically stated that he got a metronome at ten, and ignored it for 8 years. at 18 he came to the realization that it is an essential tool that cannot be overlooked. when did he change his mind back to the ignore the metronome mentality?

spindizzy · #16 11-27-2006, 12:26 PM

I've read a few references here concerning Jeff's comments about metronomes before. I even responded much like the last poster in that on the surface he sounds arrogant and fixed on an idea that doesn't seem to make sense from a musical education or technique building standpoint. However, I did some digging into Jeff and his concepts and I have to say you can't take these comments out of context lest they be missinterpreted and many things he has written or said in interviews are indeed well thought out and interesting.

Mostly it is not that he is necessarily anti-metronome. In fact I would argue, based on what I have read that he probably did find value in them at some point. But Jeff is more anti-technique focus rather than just anti-metronome. One line I read made all the difference to me. He stated, and I am paraphrasing here, that his educational model was one that emphasizes music education not technique education. No crutches or shortcuts (and tabs as well as metronomes could fall here). Learn theory, learn to read standard notation, play, practice, play more and practice more. He doesn't see value in slap and believes that too much attention and emulation by bass players of famous bass icons like Jaco (really doesn't like the Jacophile bass players who spend their lives in pursuit of playing just like him), Stanley and now Wooten are churning out a generation of imitators not innovators. It is this lack of folks focusing on creating their own way or experimenting beyond what has gone before that seems to frustrate him.

Granted he is also very opinionated and certainly says what’s on his mind even if it contradicts popular opinion. Personally I have felt the same way about the seeming lack of differentiation between bass folks and, like Berlin, I have difficulty listening to fretless players if they simply sound too much like a Jaco knockoff.

The metronome has its place in technique building. It certainly is the place to start if you haven't played long enough to develop a good solid unshakable time center. But he has a point. Some, if not a major portion of your practice time, should be devoted to pure creative exploration. You should be able to keep time with or without a metronome and that takes practice. All should be striving to break their own new ground, even if all they do for money is covers. And everyone should play and practice because you love to play not because it's a chore you must do.

I don't always agree with Jeff but he has a perspective I believe all bass players ought to at least understand. For that you need to read his comments and ideas in full context, not these little bits and bites you pick up here second hand. I did that and now that I have more context I am sorry that I jumped to the conclusion that this was just another ego maniac trying to ruffle feathers. I really don't believe that is the case anymore and that this guy is the real deal and believes what he says. Don't ditch the metronome but do consider a little Jeff Berlin slant for you development thinking.

studentaccount1 · #17 11-27-2006, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MammaryVest

Can someone explain what the hell Jeff Berlin's problem is? Condeming the use of metronomes, and tabs? I don't get it, is he some kind of ass?

What does the issue of tabs have to do with the topic?

spindizzy · #18 11-27-2006, 01:58 PM

Nothing. Metronomes rule. End of topic.

spindizzy · #19 11-27-2006, 02:01 PM

Gnomes rule too...they are just shorter.
Metro Gnomes are taller but disliked by some bass instructors. The Gnome mobile was a great film by a great film maker who also didn't favor metronomes in bass instruction. Now you are caught up proceed with next post.

Skel · #20 11-27-2006, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spindizzy

Gnomes rule too...they are just shorter.
Metro Gnomes are taller but disliked by some bass instructors. The Gnome mobile was a great film by a great film maker who also didn't favor metronomes in bass instruction. Now you are caught up proceed with next post.

I read these posts about how great John Paul Jones' lines are because he and Bonham are "behind" the beat to create tension for the listener, etc. Good thing they weren't using a metronome.

I've heard lots of songs where the band noticably slows down or speeds up by accident. I love that because it shows a vulnerable, human side to what I'm listening to. I'd be curious to see what the human heart did compared to a metronome.

I don't care for them because I prefer a more natural timing that is perfected with the band by practice, arguing with each other about who is rushing, and listening to one's own playing as much as possible.

But I have no problem with anybody who loves them either.