Metronomes - Yay or Nay?

[MatthewMichael]

I'm curious to hear from the musicians on CC. How do you feel about using metronomes, and if you use them, how often/when/why?

When I don't use one: I play guitar and tend to play without a met. It's probably because I write a lot and don't want constant beeping jarring my ears. It's also because of convenience/laziness. I leave an acoustic out on a stand at all times. When the mood hits, I pick up and play.

When I do use one: When I'm demoing out a song in my DAW, I usually use a met. It just makes it easier to add/quantize baselines and drums, among other things, if I'm in a hurry.. which I usually am. The other time I like to use a met is when I'm specifically trying to improve my speed and accuracy on a particular scale or piece, or just curious to hear what the piece would sound like at various bpms.

In general, I don't think they're bad or geed per se. As we all know, anything is excess can be detrimental.. Even drinking water. Wikipedia has some interesting quotes cited where people are very anti-metronome: Metronome - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (scroll down to "Criticism of metronome use.")

I would guess anyone that plays metal would be a big advocate, as a lot of newer/heavier metal stays in the 180+ bpm range and is very technical and precise by nature at that speed.

Alright.. What do you guys think?

 

[kenisyes]

Expression rules. They say Mozart was an expert at "borrowing time" and then "giving it back" elsewhere in the piece.

The only thing metronomes are good for, is for making yourself (or you student) slow down on the easier parts of songs they do not yet know, so they will not be going too fast for the harder parts. This is all part of the culture of times gone by that assumes that writing your own music was a special gift, reserved only for musical geniuses. In those days, students had be taught to perform written music technically, as it was believed most had no talent to write.

[Cessationists take note: The ability to write your own worship music came back in the same generation as tongues and prophecy are alleged to have, and pretty much among the same groups of people.]

 

[CanadianGuy86]

As a guy who has studied guitar and music in college. I highly stress that the metronome is very important to use when practicing. Not only does the metronome help you build up your finger speed and strength. It also gives you the timing and makes a big difference when your playing with other musicians whether it's the worship band at church or just jamming out with friends it will help you alot easier to stay in time with the drummer, and all the other musicians. It will also give you endurance and consistency when your playing.

If you practice without a metronome and all of a sudden you find yourself playing live..your adrenaline starts rushing and then your speed will be way out of whack because of the adrenaline. You will usually be alot faster then what the tempo is suppose to be.

The metronome is a guitarist's best friend. Use it and you will progress way faster (and sound way better) than practicing without one.

 

[Hellooo]

Absolutely yes for beginners, if you're sight reading, or if you're trying to master some portion of a song that's just kicking your rear. I play classical piano, and I've played in various bands where I played mallet percussion. Its a great tool for individual practice, but usually not necessary in group settings since you often have percussion and/or a conductor. Metronomes force you to be precise. That being said, I play classical piano where technicality matters more than in most other genres.

I like to tackle big classical pieces and I practice with a metronome going if I'm sight reading or if I'm really struggling on some part of a song. The tempo reminder helps put the notes you're reading into some context, and helps you avoid developing sloppy short cuts when you play.

 

[RickShafer]

I heard Pat Metheny say that timing is the singularly most overlooked aspect of jazz guitarists, and musicians in general.
You have to carry the tune, perfect execution of the right notes (whether on the beat or slightly late), is a huge part of sounding professional.
Metronomes help in practicing leads, and are a necessity for laying down rhythm tracks.

 

[zaoman32]

I don't use them real often. I play bass, and listen to the drummer more than anything else. I like to follow whatever beat it is the drummer is playing, and I try to stick with him as tightly as possible (it helps me get in the groove), so as long as the drummer is on tempo and tight, I'm good.

 

[Hellooo]

I don't use them real often. I play bass, and listen to the drummer more than anything else. I like to follow whatever beat it is the drummer is playing, and I try to stick with him as tightly as possible (it helps me get in the groove), so as long as the drummer is on tempo and tight, I'm good.

I love how the bass sounds.
Just wanted to throw that out.
But really...it's such an attractive sounding instrument, it kind of carries everyone else.

 

[zaoman32]

I love how the bass sounds.
Just wanted to throw that out.
But really...it's such an attractive sounding instrument, it kind of carries everyone else.

Yay!!!! Somebody shares my love!!!!

 

[Jordache]

Depends on you purpose of playing. If you play alone and don't intend to ever play with a band live or recorded, then go without a metronome if you just want to feel it. However, if you ever aspire to play with others or record then you have to be able to play to a click, or a decent drummer.

 

[RickShafer]

Even if you are playing by yourself, it is a good habit to keep a constant tempo. (Except for cadenzas and flourishes)
- People can hear it.
Practicing with a metronome will help you do this.

 

[Frederik]

Guess it's good for practise sometimes, like techniques etc. In a band it's everybody's job to keep the pulse and make it goove, but still again it all depends. Notice on a lots of older rock N roll song, Like let's say ELvis Jailhouse Rock. The guitarist Scotty Moore Play straight notes- while the rest of the band plays in shuffle beat. Chuck Berry uses the same in many recordings, Rhytme guitarist playing straigth The Beatles are famous for changing beat many times within a song - and straight and shuffle mixed together in all ways. Keith Richard Rolling Stones made an etirely carreer on it. That is one ofthe secret's about behind many famous "Rock" Sounds. It all depends on the sound you would like to achieve. Many musicians are not even beware of this and can't even tell. Even they practised with a Metronome for 10 years- They still got no feeling for the pulse or the rthyme. If you want to practise technique stuff, metronome is good. But is has nothing to do with music or performing music.
In Classical music. There's lots of grove and dynamics too. Try to study the same piece with different conductors performing it. Very interesting.
I know proff jazz and classical musician who never used a metronome. Imo Timing and Expression and Touch is more important in music than to be able to keep a steady monotone boring tick tack machine beat with no dynamic.

 

[bri10115]

I say yay for metronomes. They help a lot when you're learning a new piece. That's when I use them the most. For new pieces and if I have an audition and the judge wants a specific set tempo. I don't use them when I've grown use to the piece and can trust myself. I hope that helps!

 

[xXErraticEmilyXx]

I prefer not to use one, but Dr. Beat was a friend of mine in marching band.

 

[NightHawK877]

I used a metronome when I first learned the trumpet 12 years ago. Now I don't.

 

[Hellooo]

Pardon me for bumping up a really old thread...

Just had to share.

Got this baby in the mail earlier this week, I've been playing around with it all morning and I LOVE it. I had a little electronic metronome before, and I much prefer the tick-tock sound over the piercing beeps.

 

[Donkeyfish07]

Even though I don't have any issues with my timing at all, if I had one I would still use one to polish my rhythm skills.....rhythm guitar is my weakest point. Anything that helps even a little bit with your technical abilities is good

 

[maxwel]

Whenever I hear something ticking...

I always feel like there's a bomb in the room.


Bombs almost always ruin my timing.
: )

 

[phil36]

I would say practice with a metronome, maybe not all the time, but make a habit of it.... what's the point in learning some cool new chops and they play them out of time. Metronomes are not just for beginners seasoned players practice with them, especially when practising a new piece of music.

on saying all that its not essential... but would be beneficial.