Welcome to part one of this 4-part series on metronome secrets for guitar. Over the course of these articles I’ll be covering lots of different and interesting ways to use the metronome to improve your time-keeping, groove and technique. This will be a nice intro for those new to this tool, and a nice refresher with some creative new ideas for those who are already metroprone.
First off…
…go and buy one! It doesn’t matter if it’s an old wooden one or a fancy new electronic one, they all do the same job. You can download free metronome apps for most smart phones, or download free metronome programs for your computer. There is literally no excuse for not owning a metronome!
I am constantly losing and re-finding my metronomes, so I’ve ended up accumulating ton of different ones. Here are my favourites:
- For general use, the Korg MA -30.
- On my HTC, I use Gabriel Simoes’ ‘Mobile Metronome’.
- On my macbook, I use Ron Fleckner’s excellent free metronome program. It looks like this…
No Guitar? No problem!
Clap in time with the metronome. When you lock just right, your hand-claps will drown out the click and the metronome will sound like it’s disappeared. If you deviate from the pulse, you’ll hear the click ‘poke out’ either side of your hand clap.
While you do this (and while you do any metronome exercise) make sure to tap your foot in time with the click. You can tap on every beat, just on the 2 &4, or even just on the 1…but make sure you keep that foot going. It’ll develop into a constant, physical connection with the pulse – your own built in metronome – something that comes in handy in a lot of situations you might not expect (any kind of playing, sight-reading, transcription etc…).
Speed King
The metronome is a fantastic tool for improving your speed and technical facility on the guitar. I like to take a lick, start it really slow and gradually increase the metronome speed until it’s stretching the limits of my technique. Over time, I’ll be able to play it faster and faster…It’s important to start slow to develop relaxed control and good muscle memory.
Slow Downer
For more Robbie Mcintosh, check out http://www.robbiemcintosh.com/.
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Great post Steve, I’m definitely going to be using more metronome from now on.
I’m always trying to get people to slow down when I jam with them, haha – just seems more groovy that way…
Thanks Gideon, the metronome is a great tool for improving time and groove. In the end, it all comes back to playing with actual people and real, human rhythms.
Just checked out your blog, really like it! Especially your thoughts on whether or not to focus creativity into one medium.
Steve
Just spent twenty minutes on the metronome video Steve. You’re right! It’s a great way to practice, because you are more prepared to handle the faster licks with more control.
Good work.
Loucas
Hi Loucas,
Thanks for checking out the video! I’m glad you agree that the metronome is a great tool.
I’ve found it’s so easy to rush licks, learn them ‘almost right’ and play them with ‘almost enough technique’ – I find slowing things down with the metronome and taking a little time to learn the licks helps keep me from this lazy habit and develop, as you say, control.
Thanks for the comment!
Steve