Metronome

[lefty51]

I've always heard to practice with a metronome but failed to take this advice until recently. I must say that I regret not using a metronome for so long. It's made such a difference in my playing and improvement. Now that I always use a metronome I'm curious about how exactly to format my practices. I've been starting at a comfortable speed and building up to my quickest speed. However, a freind recently told me that he had read a book that suggested starting at your top speed then working down to a comfortable speed. It said that just before a performance you should play at your fastest speed and not work down but play immediately after. That all might be confusing but simply put I'm wondering if I should start slow and build or start fast and digress. Any suggestions? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[mandofiddle]

I've never heard the start fast and work to slower speed theory before... I always start extra slow, play it clean, keep the tone clean, etc. Do some improvising over the slow beat since I have time to think about where I'm going to go, and then speed up gradually. Recently I've been recording rhythm guitar tracks for fiddle tunes as I'm learning them, with the metronome in the track, and then using the Amazing Slow Downer software to either speed up or slow down the rhythm.

[farmer2]

I don't mean to sound stupid, but what is a metronome? I have only been playing for about 4 months. If someone could give me info. or direct me to where I can find it I would appreciate it.

[LilCreekster]

A metronome is a device that keeps time for you, it clicks (or beeps) at a speed that you set, continuously. #It's an invaluable practice tool. #There are many different brands and types, some are super fancy with different rhythm patterns, different timing and emphasis on beats, others are pretty straight forward click on the beat kinda things LOL.

There's a good online one to get an idea for how they work...

Metronome Online (http://www.metronomeonline.com)

You can pick one up in any music shop! #Great tool to have.

[racuda]

I like the wooden ones like this. Since my mandos are 70 - 80 years old, the vintage metronome just seems more aesthetic.
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~racuda/images/metronome.jpg

[John Flynn]

I think it is good to practice at different speeds, but not necessarily in a strict progresssion. Two of Compton's practice tips are: Practice Fast and Practice Slow. I try to use to the metronome to get every tune up to speed, then I will slow it down to nail difficult timings and special effects. I will also try to play it faster than tempo as a "stretch," so that tempo seems easier.

[farmer2]

Thanks for the info. LilCreekster. Seems like a great tool. I will be getting one!

[Chris Baird]

I start with a normal medium pace then slow it down by half then half again but continue to play at the same tempo. This means that in the beggining I'm getting a click on each beat; then on every other beat; then on only one of four beats. Many new metranomes are preset to help out in this way on more than just 4/4 time.

[WaywardFiddler]

Well, my theory is that what we are trying to do is teach our muscles the correct way to do things. Muscles are taught by repetition. Repeating the wrong thing teaches your muscles to do the wrong thing. Repeating the right thing teaches your muscles to do the right thing.

So... I would say set the metronome for a tempo at which you can play everything as perfectly as you know how in every way, with no strain. Gradually turn the speed up -- never faster than you can play perfectly. Eventually, you will be able to play quickly and cleanly.

I think that practicing too fast is the leading cause of sloppy playing.

-dave

[rhetoric]

I work my way up, starting where I know I can easily play cleanly. Then I raise it at slow intervals (5bpm) until I can't play cleanly. Then I RAISE it again, play messily, raise it again, play even more messily, then LOWER it back to the 1st non-clean tempo and I find that I can play it cleanly. Don't exactly know why it works, but it does and it makes me feel like I'm making progress! :-)