Metronome!?

Question

it's really difficult for me to use a metronome. i know why it's important and it really helps me when i get going but i always get mixed up half the time with the TICK TICK TICK in my ear as my foot goes on the upbeats etc etc etc. how do i practice using a metronome and learn how to use it for my benefit?

Answer 1

I used to have that problem too.

1.The best thing to do is to start with slower tempos. It's very important to try to stay within the right timing . It's less confusing when you play the song very slowly. Gradually you can speed up the tempo and get used to the tick tack sound.

2.It helps enormously to listen to the song played correctly by someone else. for example I love Flamenco and flamenco has a very difficult rhythm. But I listen to the songs played by masters and count the beats with them.

3.Record yourself playing and after that listen to your play and compare it to the master's play. That way you learn alot about your mistakes and particularly where you go off beat, Then try to correct them and re-record. It helps alot!

Answer 2

Hi AC.    This is going to be to the point..,  so I am going to give you an example first.  I have a young piano student (12 now) who I tried to put on the metronome about 2 years ago.  He could not do it...He would not do it... I decided to give up.  In February,  he started playing flute and on the first week of his lessons,  I introduced the metronome again.      This time he took to it.    After using it with flute for four months I tried again with his piano music...  and he had no trouble.    What changed?  I think it was because in flute...  he used it with the simplest of rhythms - whole / half / and quarter notes, in the very beginning.   Then we moved to the eighth notes.   After that, I  let him  try it with his piano music and he actually wanted to.   My suggestion to you is to use the metronome with scales (two octaves up and down) ... only scales.   With the metronome set at 66, first play with half notes, two beats per note...  for a couple of days.  Then move to quarter notes for a couple of days...  then on to eighth notes for a couple of days...  then 16ths.   STOP tapping your foot.   It would be good if you could do all of the scales,  but if not... pick your easiest one..  for the skill of using a metronome,  you are not trying to learn scales anyway.  :))   After a few days,  you can begin to move the tempo a little faster...  to 72 then 76 ...etc.  

When this seems comfortable  and you are not focusing on just the sound of the beats,  it will be more natural to you.   Does this take a couple of days to become accustomed to?   Short answer...NO.   It will take a couple of months for you to be comfortable with it.   And if it is worth a little time for your effort to be able to use the metronome well,  you will do it.  :)  Truly,   it is a very important tool for technicality,  rhythm and preciseness.    

Hope my suggestion  will be of some help to you.  and Thanks for reading.