How to use a metronome for your better time feel

[Tomo]

Music is supposed be fun first. but you need to make efforts things better.

Here i would like to talk about a metronome. Metronome is : I use it for keeping my time
or keep in time and improve my groove, even soloing feel, timing... many ways possible.

If you have my Accelerate your guitar playing DVD, you will see it and how to use it.

I would like to keep it simple so please stay with the topic please. Yes, there are many
complicate way to use this, but first let's take a look TWO ways to use.

1) Clinic on 2 & 4 beats. So it's like a snare hit! Set your metronome 50 on 2 & 4.
so your beat, every beats are 100. Just 1/2 tempo from actual tempo.

This way you have more space and you can make more groove. I will add more
ideas after this...

I usually recommend to set slow tempo first, maybe set your metronome 40 on 2 & 4.
Play chromatic scale 1234, All down picking, all quarter notes. Make sure all notes are
even. Not ahead or behind. Just right on beat.

2) You can set your metronome on every beats. Say 80 on every beats. So this is same
tempo as 1) 40 on 2&4. When I practice slow funk grove 40 on 2&4... same as 80 on
every beats... then I go slower... 60... then 50 on every beats. My favorite way to practice
on every beats... Set a metronome on 50 to play slow blues, slow swing, slow funk groove.
It's really difficult .... but it really make you to play in your pocket!

3) Try this again. Set your metronome on 52 (2&4). Play shuffle blues groove, bass lines,
Rt 3 7 groove... Try this way to feel your groove.Bb blues swing groove with Rt 3 7 forms (http://www.rittor-music.co.jp/tomofujita/seminar/sound/04.mp3)

4) Try this example. Just a chromatic scale 1234....... 4321...... Get to used hear this 2&4 thing.
Chromatic 1 (http://www.rittor-music.co.jp/tomofujita/seminar/sound/01.mp3)

5) Shuffle bass line groove with triad(another great topic)
Call & resonse with triad sound. Call & Response shuffle bass line and triad sound (http://www.rittor-music.co.jp/tomofujita/seminar/sound/09.mp3)
music and tab for Call & Response shuffle bass line and triad sound (http://www.rittor-music.co.jp/tomofujita/seminar/09.html)


I just added more examples with using a metronome.
Later, I will add more new thread with more specific topic.

Please stay focus this metronome topic at least 2-3 weeks. You will feel the difference.

Enjoy it!

Tomo

[PinkStrat]

Tomo speaks the truth about this in a BIG WAY. Not long ago I was up in Boston and was hanging out with Tomo at his home studio in his basement. All of a sudden he pulled out this Boss Dr.Beat DB-88 electronic metronome & it reminded me of a custom-made metronome that John McLaughlin spoke of in GP many years ago (late 70s) that he owned that could dial up any type of off-beat(s), accents, different compound time signatures, etc.

The moment I arrived home I went to GC and bought the Dr. Beat DB-90 (the latest incarnation of the aforementioned metronome). This was by FAR one of the BEST musical investments I have ever made. When you get 40 bpm down preciscely for even 20 minutes you will FEEL a HUGE difference in the way you approach your guitar. Suddenly the pick is almost "not there" like before because it will begin to "float" in your thumb and supporting fingers. And, added to this you will be MUCH more in control and a hell of a lot FASTER when you NEED to be. Now, I will not practice without my DB-90 next to me. No way, man!

Last but not least, this metronome also features an adjustable bell that you can assign to sound on any part of the beat. This feature alone is worth the price of admission because it automatically breaks up the way you think (and play) rhythm-wise. CHECK THIS OUT...Amazing machine this metronome is & Tomo has discovered all the ways of using it to his advantage (and yours). Hope this adds some insight to this lesson!

Best,
Dean:cool:

[mutley]

I called up my GC in Orlando and they had to look it up. It's a three week order. Sounds like it's worth waiting for, though. Thanks Tomo and Pinkstrat.

[PinkStrat]

I called up my GC in Orlando and they had to look it up. It's a three week order. Sounds like it's worth waiting for, though. Thanks Tomo and Pinkstrat.

Hi mutley,
You might want to order your DB-90 through Musician's Friend or call the Sam As* in your area (but they aren't very swift at keeping anything in stock). The last time I was in an SA "Superstore" I asked them (when they gave me their blank look as to not know what I wanted), "Hey, is this a music store or WHAT?" :(

Keep rockin,
Dean

[Tomo]

Tomo speaks the truth about this in a BIG WAY. Not long ago I was up in Boston and was hanging out with Tomo at his home studio in his basement. All of a sudden he pulled out this Boss Dr.Beat DB-88 electronic metronome & it reminded me of a custom-made metronome that John McLaughlin spoke of in GP many years ago (late 70s) that he owned that could dial up any type of off-beat(s), accents, different compound time signatures, etc.

The moment I arrived home I went to GC and bought the Dr. Beat DB-90 (the latest incarnation of the aforementioned metronome). This was by FAR one of the BEST musical investments I have ever made. When you get 40 bpm down preciscely for even 20 minutes you will FEEL a HUGE difference in the way you approach your guitar. Suddenly the pick is almost "not there" like before because it will begin to "float" in your thumb and supporting fingers. And, added to this you will be MUCH more in control and a hell of a lot FASTER when you NEED to be. Now, I will not practice without my DB-90 next to me. No way, man!

Last but not least, this metronome also features an adjustable bell that you can assign to sound on any part of the beat. This feature alone is worth the price of admission because it automatically breaks up the way you think (and play) rhythm-wise. CHECK THIS OUT...Amazing machine this metronome is & Tomo has discovered all the ways of using it to his advantage (and yours). Hope this adds some insight to this lesson!

Best,
Dean:cool:


Hi Dean,

Well said. Thank you for your words on a metronome. Me and my metronome are still good friend!

I am very happy that hear that you really had a great time with your metronome experience.
Great!!! I am still using my everyday. Lately I am using very SLOW mode.

It's difficult to stay with 40 (2&4) ...but you can hear your time feel really clear! This way actually
faster to improve your technique. That's why your time really improved and became more steady.
I feel that.

Many people prefer to use a backing track to practice... but I enjoy more to use my metronome
and I could tell my improvement clearly. I am not saying that backing tracks are bad.
Backing track itself sound good (then) and no matter what you do... sometime it's ok. (sound ok)

Here I should make a new thread about 'Soloing with a metronome?"

My metronome has 3 tone.
a) Tight sound
b) soft sound
c) Swedish woman 's voice!

Thanks, Dean!

Tomo

[JofZ]

Thanks for the tips Tomo!
I got a ton of good info from your DVD, the metronome lessons are very helpful. I have been getting into the habit of using my Dr.Beat all the time. I also try to count along with it as I need to develop that part of my brain :)

Now if only I could get a couple more voices for it LOL

[Tomo]

I called up my GC in Orlando and they had to look it up. It's a three week order. Sounds like it's worth waiting for, though. Thanks Tomo and Pinkstrat.


Hi Mutlry,

You're welcome! It 's my pleasure.

Hope you find your metronome to do enjoy....

Let me know your progress.


Thanks for reading.


Tomo

[PinkStrat]

Ned,

BTW, Musician's Friend has the Dr. Beat DB-90 in stock according to their website. Order the metronome from them and have it in a few days (instead of three weeks) right? Just an FYI for you.

Dean :)

[PinkStrat]

Hi Dean,

Well said. Thank you for your words on a metronome. Me and my metronome are still good friend!

I am very happy that hear that you really had a great time with your metronome experience.
Great!!! I am still using my everyday. Lately I am using very SLOW mode.

It's difficult to stay with 40 (2&4) ...but you can hear your time feel really clear! This way actually
faster to improve your technique. That's why your time really improved and became more steady.
I feel that.

Many people prefer to use a backing track to practice... but I enjoy more to use my metronome
and I could tell my improvement clearly. I am not saying that backing tracks are bad.
Backing track itself sound good (then) and no matter what you do... sometime it's ok. (sound ok)

Here I should make a new thread about 'Soloing with a metronome?"

My metronome has 3 tone.
a) Tight sound
b) soft sound
c) Swedish woman 's voice!

Thanks, Dean!

Tomo

I like C quite a bit Tomo but you should like a particular Italian woman's voice (if I read your "housemate":D correctly)

[rjmmusic]

FYI, a music store is selling new DB-90s on eBay for $20 less than Musician's Friend.

Thanks, Tomo, for all the great ideas. I think it's time for me to fire up the metronome and get serious - I'm kind of in a rut right now and need to "Accelerate my Guitar Playing" :)

[Tomo]

Thanks for the tips Tomo!
I got a ton of good info from your DVD, the metronome lessons are very helpful. I have been getting into the habit of using my Dr.Beat all the time. I also try to count along with it as I need to develop that part of my brain :)

Now if only I could get a couple more voices for it LOL



Hi Jason,

Thanks for using my dvd! Thank you. I am glad that you liked my metronome lesson. There are so much information about
playing guitar, licks, chords.... but TIME feel is really important factor in music. Even 1 note with rhythmic ideas are very
useful. I should bring more examples using a metronome. Great to hear that you have been using your Dr. Beat.

New Dr. Beat can sample your wife's voice. What do you think? goes like this....
1 2 3 4 ...move your stuff off my living room!

Even without your metronome, keep in time like this...
Wizard 335 Shuffle Blues (www02.homepage.villanova.edu/david.kaplowitz/tomo/Wizard_335_shuffle-blues_1.mp3)

Tomo

[JofZ]

Hi Jason,

Thanks for using my dvd! Thank you. I am glad that you liked my metronome lesson. There are so much information about
playing guitar, licks, chords.... but TIME feel is really important factor in music. Even 1 note with rhythmic ideas are very
useful. I should bring more examples using a metronome. Great to hear that you have been using your Dr. Beat.

New Dr. Beat can sample your wife's voice. What do you think? goes like this....
1 2 3 4 ...move your stuff off my living room!

Even without your metronome, keep in time like this...
Wizard 335 Shuffle Blues (www02.homepage.villanova.edu/david.kaplowitz/tomo/Wizard_335_shuffle-blues_1.mp3)

Tomo

HAHAHAHAHA
I think I will keep my current model!

I have to send you photos of my birthday present, I think you will like it.

The metronome is the easiest way to improve quickly, I am not sure why more people aren't forced early on to use it. It really comes in handy for those who aren't in band situations every day, or don't have a drummer for a next door nieghbor :)

Your lessons are fantastic and it is always the little things I pick up every time I watch them.