A metronome is a brilliant little tool that helps enhance
and improve your technique, speed and control on the guitar, among other
things. If you’re a beginner, or learning to play the guitar, I would strongly recommend
getting one as soon as possible. Because if you want to see yourself become
better and play well, the use of a metronome while practicing is essential.
The modern metronome is an electronic device, which produces
an audible pulse, beat or a click after set intervals. It allows you to control
the time element of your guitar-playing. It is essential when it comes to
developing a good sense of speed and tempo, and controlling the tempo and other
elements of your guitar-playing.
Timing is an essential element of playing the guitar. People
who are learning to play the guitar tend to give more attention to notes rather
than timing. However both these elements of playing the guitar are equally
important, as well as connected to one another: if you play the right note at
the wrong time, it would be equally as bad as playing the wrong note at the
right time, for instance.
And trust me, nothing’s quite as bad as a musician with poor
timing!
And that is where a metronome comes in!
Think about the foot-tapping that most people do when their
favorite song plays on the radio. They tap their foot to the rhythm of the
song, and that is precisely what a metronome allows you to do. Guitarists
usually use drum beat for the same purpose during performances.
The speed, or the ‘tempo’ of a metronome can be changed. For
beginner’s it is recommend to start off as slow as possible, work on their
technique at a slow speed and work their way up from there. Here’s how guitar
players should practice with a metronome:
1. Learn the notes WITHOUT the metronome. First things
first: learn the notes without thinking about the timing.
2. Fire up the metronome, and start off slowly. Find a point
where it feels comfortable; where its not painstakingly slow, or too quick. It
all depends on what you’re playing, and of course your level of proficiency
with the guitar.
3. Try finding areas where you’re having trouble. Some parts
will be easy; however some will be tougher to play. As you increase the tempo,
you’ll notice that you have problems playing certain things, and in particular
areas at certain tempos, and that is where a metronome really helps. As the
metronome relentlessly clicks away, these touch spots will become obvious; make
sure that you address them (DO NOT AVOID THEM!). Slow things down and play
those parts again in order to determine where and what you’re having trouble
with.
4. Turn off the metronome, and try playing a chord or a note
that’s easy, and one that you had a problem with earlier. Play this repeatedly,
until you begin to get more comfortable at it. Go as slow as you want; what’s
important is that you iron out any issues that you might be having with your
guitar-playing. When you think you’ve nailed, it try adding notes in front of
and behind the one you were practicing, gradually adding more notes to either
side, and steadily increase the tempo of your playing as well.
5. Turn the metronome on once more, and play the same note.
You’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover an instant improvement with the same
notes you were having trouble with earlier, and you’ll also be able to push the
metronome to a higher level. Rinse and repeat to find trouble spots this way,
and use the same technique to iron them out.
Good luck!
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