Timing who needs a mentronome?

[guy n. cognito]

That kind of ad hominem is the sign of a man who's run out of reasonable argument...or who never had one to begin with. The funny thing about it is there are actually some good arguments for the use of the metronome. You just aren't hitting on any of them.

Oh, I'm just teasing you, Jeffy. Honestly, you've taken such a radical stance with many of your comments I didn't think you were interested in any sort of reasonable debate.

 

[jallenbass]

This is kind of funny - the guitarist and singer in my band both have the worst sense of time out of all the members in my group. They aren't bad, mind you, but they could definitely stand to get better. They both also REFUSE to ever use a metronome. My drummer and myself, OTOH, both have superior time and neither of us have ever been against using a metronome to help hone in our meter. Me and my drummer both think there's a connection there...

+1

 

[Jeff Bonny]

This is kind of funny - the guitarist and singer in my band both have the worst sense of time out of all the members in my group. They aren't bad, mind you, but they could definitely stand to get better. They both also REFUSE to ever use a metronome. My drummer and myself, OTOH, both have superior time and neither of us have ever been against using a metronome to help hone in our meter. Me and my drummer both think there's a connection there...

I wonder how much is simply due to the fact that you and the drummer are paying better attention to achieving reliable meter than your bandmates are?

 

[jmattbassplaya]

I wonder how much is simply due to the fact that you and the drummer are paying better attention to achieving reliable meter than your bandmates are?

On the flip side of the coin, my drummer and I have both wondered if the reason my guitarist and singer won't practice (or even record) with a click is because they're afraid it'll show us just how poor their meter is.

But I really have no dog in this fight. I honestly NEVER used a metronome for the first 10 years of my 'musical career', and despite that I still always had a strong sense of time. That said, it has only gotten better ever since I started using a click during my personal practice sessions.

 

[jallenbass]

But I really have no dog in this fight. I honestly NEVER used a metronome for the first 10 years of my 'musical career', and despite that I still always had a strong sense of time. That said, it has only gotten better ever since I started using a click during my personal practice sessions.

There are a lot of musicians who think they have a strong sense of time but don't (present company excluded, of course ). They're the ones that are hard to play with and like many of us the metronome brings that to our attention in our practice room so that we are not wasting others time in rehearsal.

 

[JimmyM]

Well I will say that one good thing about a metronome is it does help you learn to play with a metronome on, and that seems to be the thing these days. And I am all about making paid money, so if you have to, you have to. But good lord, why does everything have to be recorded with a click? Zzzzzzzz....

 

[FrednBass]

I wish that this was recorded with a metronome:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Kve_N8rmmQ

Although i love this song, the unnatural rushing really bothers me.

EDIT: and before anyone says that a metronome would kill the feel of the song: my dad's band always play this one and my dad is a walking-metronome. And they always rock this one out, no question one of the strongest covers they do

 

[JimmyM]

Oh no you din't!

 

[Tupac]

Bah, I've played in percussion ensembles and practiced with a metronome and my timing still sucks. So take that, both sides!

 

[Jeff Bonny]

Oh, I'm just teasing you, Jeffy.

Please don't call me "Jeffy". It's an appeal to ridicule that's intentionally taunting and offensive. It totally ignores the OP's quite reasonable request we keep it civil.

Honestly, you've taken such a radical stance with many of your comments I didn't think you were interested in any sort of reasonable debate.

Nonsense. The reality is I'm riding the middle ground saying that while the metronome doesn't demonstrate what good time feels like and won't likely help you in a direct way to get to the core of your own internal meter that it does have its positive uses.

 

[FrednBass]

Oh no you din't!

I did

 

[JimmyM]

?

 

[JimmyM]

A little speed never stopped this or any other Asia song from being a hit, either.

 

[guy n. cognito]

Nonsense. The reality is I'm riding the middle ground saying that while the metronome doesn't demonstrate what good time feels like and won't likely help you in a direct way to get to the core of your own internal meter that it does have its positive uses.

They're wrong.

Lot's of middle ground in answers like this........

 

[nysbob]

This is really as silly as a "pick vs fingers" debate.

Is it not safe to say that if you want to consider yourself a versatile and well-rounded player you'd better be comfortable performing in either realm? Why does is it have to be exclusive?

 

[David Jayne]

Still going? OK, metronomes are a waste of time. Also, so is this discussion.
: D

 

[guy n. cognito]

The best way to have perfect timing is to never measure it...........

 

[Russell L]

I use a metronome only to establish speed. From there, I'm ok. Besides, a metronome won't teach you how to keep up with others who fluctuate. That's takes experience.

 

[Jeff Bonny]

Lot's of middle ground in answers like this........

You read very selectively and only quote what supports the snipping you try to pass off as discussion.

Any further communication with you here or anywhere else will serve no good purpose.
Goodbye.

 

[jallenbass]

I use a metronome only to establish speed. From there, I'm ok. Besides, a metronome won't teach you how to keep up with others who fluctuate. That's takes experience.

But, if you can hang with a metronome then you have a much better chance of staying with the fluctuaters than if you can't stick with the click.