Metronome, or not metronome, that be the ?

guitar_chick · #1 04-02-2007, 03:21 AM

I want know what you guys/gals think of metronomes. I know Steve Vai swears by it, and how he spent 10 hours a day using it. The problem is this: I hate them. I want to be in a band, and my guitar teacher tells me I could do this now, if I wanted too. I am a free-spirit, and metronomes cramp my playing style, but I do take the guitar seriously. Can I progress, and fall right into line with a band, without the tedious metronome drills?

OLIE_ROCKS_THE_80'S · #2 04-02-2007, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guitar_chick

I want know what you guys/gals think of metronomes. I know Steve Vai swears by it, and how he spent 10 hours a day using it. The problem is this: I hate them. I want to be in a band, and my guitar teacher tells me I could do this now, if I wanted too. I am a free-spirit, and metronomes cramp my playing style, but I do take the guitar seriously. Can I progress, and fall right into line with a band, without the tedious metronome drills?

Look the metronome is tedious yes but it will actually enable you to play with a band! you need to have solid timing skills to play with other people and I am afraid to tell you that it is not something you can just learn by overnight! Jamming with a band would definitely help you improve that too and it would be more fun but the question is would it be fun for them to play with a guitarist who can't keep the time??? but if all the musicians you put a band together with are entry level players it will make it really chaotic!!!

therefore my advice is:stick to the metronome practice and you will reap reach rewards from that!

P.S. I almost forgot! Remember the important thing is quality not quantity!

JJEMMER777 · #3 04-02-2007, 03:44 AM

Wow...you've managed to start a thread. Good job, ~B

Metronomes are great for excerises, working arps, etc. But when I'm writing my music, a metronome is a no no, because I like weird time sigs. (very wierd

)

Just depends on what you are doing really.

For me, Metronome is only good for one thing and that is working excerises.

NOT good for writing songs to

(at least in my case)

guitar_chick · #4 04-02-2007, 03:44 AM

Thanks Olie. Good point. I've only played with other musicians when I was in grade school/high school with guitar and recorder, and I remember that it can be tough. I hate timing, but it is an important part of the game. When I was 12 I had a guitar teacher that used to make me tap my foot in time, and I hated it! Everyone will be able to distinguish if I don't fall in line with the band.

I'm just not sure how to use the metronome with the licks my guitar teacher has been giving me. He writes the songs out as fretboard shapes, and I only know how to use the metronome with musical notation. I do read musical notation rather well. Not sure what to do. I am going to start working on scales/modes b/c I desire to write my own music. I have poetic talent.

mi2tom · #5 04-02-2007, 03:47 AM

Yes! Quality not quantity, metronome is very important, it's like brainwashing you to play in time, Yes, it's quite boring to play according to the click, other alternatives will be to play along to a backing track

guitar_chick · #6 04-02-2007, 03:52 AM

J., what is an arp? An arpeggio? I appreciate the advice. Being a novice so many people tell you so many things. I do love arpeggios, especially on my classical guitar.

So the metronome is just an aide for drills.? I appreciate how drills are an important part of overall playing time. Someone recommended that I learn one scale a week.

IbanezGirl · #7 04-02-2007, 06:03 AM

guitar chick, a metronome/drum click is necessary to develop timing, hand co-ordination,speed, fluidity and smoothness in your playing. It's also good for developing a good rhythm (which some people seem to neglect). In other words, it's a necessary evil

madpickin03 · #8 04-02-2007, 09:43 AM

I only use metronome when im VERY alert and got nothing better to do, other times it just makes me yawn and dont wanna play anymore

Most of times i just have fun doing phrasing a-la Gilbert

**Ayrton** · #9 04-02-2007, 10:51 AM

A metronome will point out your flaws very quick, and help you correct them. I don't think you will find any teacher that does not recommend using one.

toneboy · #10 04-02-2007, 11:04 AM

If you only want to be a "good" guitar player, then don't bother using a metronome.

However, if you want to be a "really good" guitar player, then use a metronome religiously.

kennydoe · #11 04-02-2007, 11:20 AM

here's a suggestion...instead of a metronome, widely considered "a drag", so to speak, Play with a drum machine...it's a lot more fun to play with the drums than just a click and you're getting the steady tempo at the same time.

You'll probably find some inspiration and write some cool riffs in the process

guitar_chick · #12 04-02-2007, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennydoe

here's a suggestion...instead of a metronome, widely considered "a drag", so to speak, Play with a drum machine...it's a lot more fun to play with the drums than just a click and you're getting the steady tempo at the same time.

You'll probably find some inspiration and write some cool riffs in the process

I guess with a drum machine I can pretend I'm playing with a band somewhat. I will check into this.

toneboy · #13 04-02-2007, 03:27 PM

A drum machine is more fun to play along with compared to a metronome but it's not quite the same as a metronome, at least for me.

Playing along with a drum machine will help your time and it will also give you more idea rhythmically (which is great for phrasing) but a metronome really helps you nail down those precision licks.

The nice thing is a drum machine can be a metronome but the inverse is not true.

JJEMMER777 · #14 04-02-2007, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennydoe

Play with a drum machine...

Or better yet, a real drummer

I totally agree with Kenny!! You'll have a lot more fun and get more motivation out of a drum machine and they are a lot more verstile than nomes

brothersnowgone · #15 04-02-2007, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJEMMER777

Wow...you've managed to start a thread. Good job, ~B

Metronomes are great for excerises, working arps, etc. But when I'm writing my music, a metronome is a no no, because I like weird time sigs. (very wierd

)

Just depends on what you are doing really.

For me, Metronome is only good for one thing and that is working excerises.

NOT good for writing songs to

(at least in my case)

Couldn't agree more...