help in using metronome.....

Discussion in 'Technique [BG]' started by phil-am, Nov 22, 2005.

  1. phil-am

    phil-am

    Oct 18, 2005
    philippines
    need some help on how to fully utilize my metronome when practicing..this the first time that i used metronome..can anyone give me some ideas?exercises or whatever? also some websites about sight reading where u can download it for free...tnx for the help.. :)
     
  2. Pacman

    Pacman Layin' Down Time Staff Member Gold Supporting Member

    Apr 1, 2000
    Omaha, Nebraska
    Endorsing Artist: Roscoe Guitars, DR Strings, Aguilar Amplification
    Search Bass Player magazine's website for "Metronome as a Guru". Great article...
     
  3. PaulonBass

    PaulonBass

    Jul 15, 2005
    Hello, Pacman is there any chance of a link to this i have searched for it but cant find any direct results
     
  4. paintandsk8

    paintandsk8 Pushin' my soul through the wire...

    May 12, 2003
    West Lafayette, IN
    There is no big secret to metronome use. Practice what you usually practice, but figure what the tempo is and play it to the metronome. Play it with the metronome faster than usual, play it with the metrnonome slower than usual. These will all help improve your time. And don't think you are locked in to having the metronome count for quarter notes. Set the metronome to half your normal speed and play with the metronome on beats 1 & 3 or 2 & 4. Set the metronome to twice your normal speed and learn to feel the subdivisions. You can even set it o three times normal and have a triplet feel.
     
  5. Pacman

    Pacman Layin' Down Time Staff Member Gold Supporting Member

    Apr 1, 2000
    Omaha, Nebraska
    Endorsing Artist: Roscoe Guitars, DR Strings, Aguilar Amplification
    Sorry, they used to have it posted online. Ed Friedland wrote a great article with many techniques to improve your time sense with a metronome. I believe he's reprinted it in one of his books.
     
  6. FWIW, I've found the hardest stuff to play to a metronome is slow stuff. Slow blues, ballads, with really slow tempos.

    Very hard to be patient and not rush those. That is the "snatch the pebbles from my hand" test for when you've mastered the metronome.

    Randy.
     
  7. Try using the 'click' as different beats. For example, try
    x 2 3 4
    then
    1 x 3 4
    1 2 x 4
    1 2 3 x

    Just some ideas that were passed onto me.