Practicing with a metronome

Discussion of history's greatest guitar player.

Practicing with a metronome

Postby Doug Working » 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
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Re: Practicing with a metronome

Postby DagerRande » Sat Nov 04, 2017 6:51 pm

The biggest benefit to me practicing with a metronome is to smooth and even out songs like "Blue Angel" or "Dizzy Fingers". I learned those with a metronome and increased the speed regularly and it come out much more even, with respect to the "time space" between notes, than any of the faster songs that I learned without one. I use it every day and I like the feeling of control that I have these days.
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Re: Practicing with a metronome

Postby Doug Working » Sun Nov 05, 2017 12:48 pm

This is interesting!

Have you ever heard if Chet practiced with one? I know for a fact he kept beat with that foot of his!

Speaking of Dizzy Fingers, I have the transcript of Blue Angel, but not Dizzy Fingers. Always wanted to learn it. Where can I find the transcription?

Doug
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Re: Practicing with a metronome

Postby bill raymond » Sun Nov 05, 2017 5:22 pm

Doug, I believe Guitar Player published a transcription along with one of those thin vinyl records that they included with the magazine a number of years back. You might try checking with the magazine for back issues.
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Re: Practicing with a metronome

Postby kwarren » Sun Nov 05, 2017 9:55 pm

Doug,

Dizzy Fingers was published in the January 1985 issue of Guitar Player with Rik Emmet on the cover. You can find copies available on eBay.
The piece was transcribed by Paul Yandell and John Knowles so I don't think you'll find a more accurate transcription anywhere.

Kirk
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Re: Practicing with a metronome

Postby bill raymond » Mon Nov 06, 2017 2:06 am

I also see that a Google search for "dIzzy fingers guitar tab" turns up a number of sites that purport to have the tab.
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