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What metrome do you use/would suggest for newbies?

A

AgnosticBassist

Jul 14, 2009
9
0
#1
(Sorry if this is the wrong forum)

:help:

I'm completely new to the bass world. So knew, that I when I think metronome I think of the little wooden thingy with the lever that goes back and forth that used to sit on my Aunt's piano.

I read that metronome's are great for beginners, or just practicing solo. So, I punch metronome into guitarcenter.com and end up getting a long list of all these digital goodies.

I'm new to this so I'm just trying to know what to dodge, what to look for when selecting a metronome and what's worked best for you. From what I can tell there's alot of experience here (Especialy from all you old guys :p)

Thank's in advance.
 
#2
Hi,

Welcome to Talkbass,

Well First of all, metronomes aren't only great for beginners but also for any musician. When you are practicing by yourself make sure to always use one.

As far as I'm concerned, Wooden metronomes are quite expensive when it comes to good ones. I would recommend a Boss digital metronome (look at the dr beat series, quality for a cheap price).

I've been using mine for more than 4 years x 4 hours a day and got no problem with it what so ever
 
#4
I use this KORG and I totally happy with it. It's digital, gets pretty LOUD, and has a headphone output. It also has about 4 different types of clicks. Some clicks sound better through headphones than others. Some may sound better through your amp than others (using the headphone out jack). It's nice to have options. I highly recommend this one!

The TASCAM trainer also has a metronome built into it so I use that as well. It's a bit expensive.
 
#5
I use a small Roland TR-505 programmable drum machine.
You can use pre-set beats or write your own. Good for odd meter practice!
Can also just program it to click, if that's what you want.
 
#7
Who says you need one.
:hiding:

Check out Jeff Berlin's views on metronomes in an interview right here on TB. http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=121376

With that being said, I use on though. Any joe may know how to tap their foot on the 2 and 4 like Mr. Berlin suggests, but do most folks know how to rip out 8ths, 16ths or 32nds over a certain bpm?

The beep of the small cheaper ones gets a bit annoying. If you can find something with a more drum like tick, that would be cool. I've always wanted one of those old style ones that are in the wooden box and you give a little push to get going. That is better than beep : beep : beep : BEEP : beep.....
 
#8
Most of the modern effects pedals have some sort of met built in, even the lower end ones. For only $40 more than the tuner/metronome listed, I bought a Korg Pandora, and I highly recommend it for a beginner or anyone else. Solid sounding effects for your bass, auxillary jack so you can jam along with your mp3 player, metronome, tuner, 32 seconds of recording time so you can listen to your playing, headphone jack, phase trainer so you can slow down songs and practice with them... and the list goes on.

All in something that can run on 4-AAA batteries and is about the size of a deck of cards and can clip on to your guitar strap or belt.

I've even gigged with it.

The metronome bundled with effects pedals is not likely to have as many time signatures as the one pictured, but it will likely have more than enough to keep you occupied for quite some time.

Easily the best $100 I've spent since I started playing bass.
 
#11
Has anyone ever thought the old wooden pendulum metronomes seem to have a little "swing" feel to 'em?
It's like they aren't in perfect balance swinging from side to side. Seems to be true with every one I've ever heard.

or maybe it's just me :atoz:
 
#13
totallyfrozen said:
I use this KORG and I totally happy with it. It's digital, gets pretty LOUD, and has a headphone output.
Click to expand...

I ordered one of those Korg KDM-2 metronomes; it seemed pretty nice but mine was defective--it was extremely difficult to turn the knob. So I returned it and got another one, and it was exactly the same. So I got a refund. It seemed like it would be a very nice unit if it worked correctly!

I ended up with a Boss DB-30. A lot of the same functions as the Korg, but not quite as loud. I like it pretty well.

I use a metronome all the time when I practice. There are some very good exercises for working with one in Ed Friedland's book "The Working Bassist's Toolkit."

Ed (not Friedland)
 
#16
MarcusPocus said:
Who says you need one.
:hiding:

Check out Jeff Berlin's views on metronomes in an interview right here on TB. http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=121376
Click to expand...

BP: And you never did it with a metronome? Can you clarify your thoughts that has been discussed in your Bass Player Magazine column?

JB: I never practiced with a metronome because I knew that time was an internal thing. Good time comes about from understanding music internally. If you here it internally the external part, what you hear from other musicians, is easy to understand and function with. It is nothing.

The other day my seven year-old son was sitting on the couch and was clapping on the two and four while singing a melody against the rhythm and his time was perfect. Look at someone tapping their foot to a song. Usually it is right in beat, either on the one or the two. They didn't acquire this talent by tapping their foot with a metronome. This is what my seven year-old son also proved; that most people have a really good natural time sense. They just don't know what it is or what it means. They only know how it FEELS.

It's been proven too many times to me. All those articles about how to use a metronome in 30 different ways will not help you to accomplish what they says they will help you to accomplish, which is to help the musician to have good time. Here's another thought about this. Name any drummer in the world with metronomic time. Name any bass player with the same ability. If you can't do this, then the metronome is an unrealistic tool unless you use it realistically.

My question is: If you don't use a metronome, how do you know that you're counting a written piece correctly?
 
#17
I don't really agree with him on never using one. I didn't use one much for years and was fine. But when I started practicing scales and such over a metronome at higher tempos, my sixteenth notes and things like that started evening out and sounding much much more smoother.
 
#18
SERIOUSLY, NOT JUST TEMPOS BUT DIFFERENT BEATS AND RHYTHMS AND COUNTEROINT WITH OTHER INSTRUMENTS - THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS. CREATE A DRUMMER. ADD A PERCUSSIONIST. EVEN MELODY AND HARMONY TO SPICE IT UP BUT ALWAYS THAT PULSE! YOU'LL NEVER NEED ANOTHER.

IT'S WHAT I USE. IT'S CALLED MUSIC. YEAH. TRY IT, YOU'LL LOVE IT FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

:hyper:
 

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