Practicing with a metronome
Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2017 3:12 pm
I was wondering if anybody here practices with a metronome?
I had a classical guitar teacher years ago who insisted strictly on metronome practice with no deviation. (the guy was almost draconian in his approach). Anyway, I can honestly say I TRIED IT. I really did. (metronome practice), but I just could NOT get into it! I would guess it's a lack of discipline on my part, but if I really lacked discipline, well then, I wouldn't really practice at all, ever. And indeed I DO practice.
This teacher emphasized playing a piece SLOWLY to the metronome. He told me that if I were to watch the world class players practice, I would be AMAZED at how slowly they practice.
Now there are times indeed when I do slow it down. Like if I'm trying to nail a really gnarly new arpeggio pattern or complicated chord progression on the left hand, I find in those circumstances that if I don't concentrate and force myself to slow down, I just can't learn it correctly. But most times I play pretty medium speed and sans metronome. In fact, I haven't owned or purchased one since the last one that I owned broke. I know that with digital technology, they have come a loooooong way these days. I couldn't even tell you what the current state of the art is with them, since I haven't checked them out lately.
Does anybody here practice with a met? Did Chet ever share his practice habits? We ALL have them, and I bet even Mr Guitar had an approach and a philosophy on practicing. (Hey, whatever he did obviously WORKED!!)
What are some of you guys' practicing habits?
Doug
I had a classical guitar teacher years ago who insisted strictly on metronome practice with no deviation. (the guy was almost draconian in his approach). Anyway, I can honestly say I TRIED IT. I really did. (metronome practice), but I just could NOT get into it! I would guess it's a lack of discipline on my part, but if I really lacked discipline, well then, I wouldn't really practice at all, ever. And indeed I DO practice.
This teacher emphasized playing a piece SLOWLY to the metronome. He told me that if I were to watch the world class players practice, I would be AMAZED at how slowly they practice.
Now there are times indeed when I do slow it down. Like if I'm trying to nail a really gnarly new arpeggio pattern or complicated chord progression on the left hand, I find in those circumstances that if I don't concentrate and force myself to slow down, I just can't learn it correctly. But most times I play pretty medium speed and sans metronome. In fact, I haven't owned or purchased one since the last one that I owned broke. I know that with digital technology, they have come a loooooong way these days. I couldn't even tell you what the current state of the art is with them, since I haven't checked them out lately.
Does anybody here practice with a met? Did Chet ever share his practice habits? We ALL have them, and I bet even Mr Guitar had an approach and a philosophy on practicing. (Hey, whatever he did obviously WORKED!!)
What are some of you guys' practicing habits?
Doug