just wondering what you all thought about the use of metronomes. i'm undecided, and would be interested in some perspectives on the subject.
thanks

learning to play along with one can have some benefits to a rhythym player, particularly if you might be planning on doing any studio work in the future.. in addition to your (hopeful ) jazz career.

playing to a click is a necessary skill in the studio world.

I've already given my 2 cents on these contraptions...

When I started playing drums, I used one to check my hand development...Don't use one anymore...


I picked up a book by Bob Kaufman, "The Art of Drumming" - and it deals with slow-motion playing - and being more aware of your body motions.

In a sense - "being more aware of your body" is basically what a metronome slowly teaches you: that the speed and height of your movements are what keep and affect the time...But it takes some longer to figure this out if just using a metronome...


My time has been fine.

And gray is right - playing to a click *IS* necessary in the studio world.

While not necessary for some, playing to a metronome helps develop confidence in most players in regards to their time feel. I think one way for jazz players to utilize it is to count time so the metronome clicks on 2 and 4. It's a little difficult at first but it's one way to make a metronome swing.

While not necessary for some, playing to a metronome helps develop confidence in most players in regards to their time feel. I think one way for jazz players to utilize it is to count time so the metronome clicks on 2 and 4. It's a little difficult at first but it's one way to make a metronome swing.

GP - You have been validated. Congratulations.

I agree that counting the clicks on 2 and 4 can be helpful. After you get going, you can develop great accuracy with pushing and laying back on the beat.

Along with helping general time feel, the metronome will quickly reveal phrases that you speed up on.

Rather than practice scales, turn on the metronome and play the head of the tune, play a couple of solo choruses, trade fours with an imaginary drummer, and then take the head out. If you stop anywhere along the way, ask yourself why, practice on the problem area or roadblock, then try again. After you succeed, file this tune under "ready for the bandstand".

practicing with the 2/4 method might be okay for linear instrument players, but I recommend drummers practice with clicks on EVERY beat ..for several reasons:

1. learning to "swing" with a click in your ear ..and staying with it is a necessary skill.

2. drummers tend to rush fills, and the click will teach them to be aware of this.

3. practicing odd meter times is easier with a click on every beat ..since constructing "counpound clicks" ( i.e. four quarters +two dotted quarters= 7/4 ) is impossible unless a software sequencer is available.

I'm a proponent of using metronomes from time to time. Horn players tend to rely on the rhythm section to keep time, but each person should be responsible for keeping time. It also helps you develop your phrasing when you use rhythmic subdivisions other than 4.

-Robin

I agree, the 2&4 setting is strong advice.
(But right now I'm scared to death of the metronome..lol.)

Excellent advice from Robin also.
(But we expected that..didn't we.)

Guys - check all the posts from others about metronomes in the "Practice Regime" thread. They're in there...


and just to stick something from one of them in here:


after hearing everyone talking about 2 & 4 on the "trome" - I thought "well - if that helps your swing, supposedly, why not put the click for every 3 beats in a 4/4 time? That would help your time *and* give you a better sense of understanding where you where in overlapping phrases...

Just a thought...

I think any little variation you do is helpful - so all of the above works. The 2 and 4 thing is nice because that's what you're usually dealing with, but anything you do that strenghtens your awareness of the pulse is fine. Vary the routine.