Playing with a metronome

[UFORocks]

Wow am I the only one that's never used a metronome or drum machine??

Nope

[VitaminG]

you guys are fast

how do you figure? Only the OP posted a speed

[TinTin8]

i use the metronome to get my foot taping ... then i follow my foot, i find it easier that way
mind you at higher speeds the foot taping will probably be usless

[VitaminG]

the great thing advantage that tapping your foot has over a metronome is that you can slow it down for the hard parts

[shredmonster]

Wow am I the only one that's never used a metronome or drum machine??

I never have either.

[Sunbane]

I used mine for a total of 2 minutes or something.

[Sinistas]

I don't use a metronome, but I'm almost always playing along to MP3s of previously recorded material, so I know I'm somewhat in time

[KennyF]

It's kind of hard to trouble shoot these kinds of things without having you sitting in front of me...

BUT...

Perhaps maybe you're concentrating too much on every note. Instead of thinking about every note, try and get a smooth set of 16ths going and think of them as groups of four. Do this without a metronome at first. Keep your picking hand relaxed and make small up and down movements! Did I mention that you should keep your picking hand RELAXED?

The other fundamental thing is "count". My drum teacher use to make us count out loud. 1-a-&-a-2-a-&-a-3-a-&-a-4-a-&-a, etc.

You need to get this counting thing goin' on. The 16th note feel is the easy one, because the beginning of each set always lands on a down stoke, or an up stroke depending on how you started

Once you get the 16ths happening, try 16th note triplets. 1-&-a-2-&-a-3-&-a-4-&-a, etc. Then switch between both using the metronome, every other bar.

You need to get use to dividing time and hearing it in your head.

Jeeezzzz, I hope I didn't make matters worse.

[El_Kabong]

My advice is to get a used, older Korg Pandora. You can plug in with an onboard band that sounds like a metronome and have a litte more fun practicing. You will always here if you are out of time and out of key. They sound horrible and there is no white noise nor a wall of distortion to cover your clams.

[Bert]

If you're having trouble, it's too fast. Slow it down, work your way up. Foot tapping shouldn't be necessary.. it will just be a hinderance when you get faster.

[LastInLine]

I don't use a metronome, but I'm almost always playing along to MP3s of previously recorded material, so I know I'm somewhat in time

There's no better tool IMO if you want to increase speed. It's amazing what a few hours of practice with one of those will do for you.

[kmanick]

There's no better tool IMO if you want to increase speed. It's amazing what a few hours of practice with one of those will do for you.

+1 I did a 1 hour session today using one and it really helped me smooth out a few things that I wasn't playing evenly and smoothly.
I know it can be real freaking boring, but IMO it's an invaluable tool.

[LastInLine]

I know it can be real freaking boring, but IMO it's an invaluable tool.

It doesn't have to be boring, really. Practice things that are musical to you, or things you enjoy, or want to incorporate into your playing. For example, practicing chromatic scales across all the strings can be boring and not very musical sounding. It's also not something that I use alot in my playing, so I don't bother practicing it.

[delt]

My metronome does an annoying "beep" sound so i usually use my computer as a metronome.

Timing has always been my weak spot, both in practice and theory.

[Phantom Hawk]

A metronome really is a great tool for practicing. They even have one online ......... www.metronomeonline.comhttp://www.metronomeonline.com