metronome

[mraia]

Wow, I dont believe Im gonna ask this, but can anyone tell me the correct way to use a metronome:confused:
I have an electic one with a little red light that blinks along to the BPM's. Im sure you all have this, or something like it.
My question is, how do I practice along to it? My timekeeping sucks lately, and I need help. What I've been doing is listening to the click while I do rudiments. I feel if I can hear the click, then my time is off, but if I cant hear it over my snare beats, then my time is dead on.
Is this right? I know this is basic, but I've never really been taught with one, and I want to get the full benefit of it.
Man, I KNOW Im gonna get mocked for this...:D

[headway]

no mocking here. the way i have been doing it lately works great for me. i take my metronome and run it through the pa then to my wedge and crank it. the way that works for me is to play in between the clicks. it's simple, all you have to do is start on (and) that way you can here the time instead of playing over it.

[mraia]

well, that makes sense:thu:
I dont have a PA, but I usually end up following along to the little red light.
I'll try it your way and play between the clicks on the AND.

[WillyRay]

What about a good set of around-the-ear headphones with the click piped into it? That way you can really hear it, whether you're with it or not.

/willy

[FitchFY]

I don't want to be a shill, but get a pair of Vic Firth Isophones... those are awesome...

But here's a thought for anyone who doesn't like a metronome. Get a solid pair of headphones or great speakers... and drum along to techno or electronica. Anything with computer-programmed music, since it's the same thing, and MUCH MORE entertaining. When I did drum line and had to chop out, I used to get the pad, the sticks, and techno rock music.

[headway]

But here's a thought for anyone who doesn't like a metronome. Get a solid pair of headphones or great speakers... and drum along to techno or electronica. Anything with computer-programmed music, since it's the same thing, and MUCH MORE entertaining. When I did drum line and had to chop out, I used to get the pad, the sticks, and techno rock music.

while i like the idea of not having the annoying click in my ear, it is important to hear yourself without help from a mellody or other rythem tracks. you are more inclined to stray with a metronome because their is nothing else to help you.

[mraia]

all very good suggestions:thu:
I feel almost stupid not really having a lot of experience with the click, but using it lately has illuminated just how off I can be time-wise.
On a related topic, Willyray mentions headphones. When I am learning songs, I use an ipod and play along. However, does anybody use any wireless technology with an ipod for this? Those damn headphone wires are messing me up
As always,gentlemen, I appreciate all the good feedback:D

[WillyRay]

I've used wireless headphones in an office setting. That way I could get to the coffee pot and back without interupting "Shine On You Crazy Diamond." I'd say you can expect to spend 60-90 bucks for something decent... though, I may be a little high... it's been years since I bought one.

/w

[headway]

why don't you just put the wires behind you?

[WillyRay]

Also, I've only used RF ones, and now they're offering lots of Bluetooth ones specifically for your Ipod.

/w

[mraia]

yeah, Ive actually used them before I got the IPOD, when I was using a Boombox and cd's. The wireless seems to cut the volume way down with the Ipod, so I cant really utilze the one I've got. I think I probably need to just get a better unit.
HMMMmmmmm new Headphones, or a new set of HIHATs:confused:
Either way, the wife will kill me!

[WillyRay]

Originally posted by mraia
Either way, the wife will kill me!

Hey, man... you gotta make sure you're priorities are set properly...

If buying new drum gear is going to mess with your family life... maybe it's time to let the girl go... :eek: :D :thu:

[manoeuver]

start with simple stuff, eighth notes or quarters with the click.

start slow. you're not working on chops, you're working on playing with a machine. it's not natural.

[mraia]

Originally posted by WillyRay


Hey, man... you gotta make sure you're priorities are set properly...

If buying new drum gear is going to mess with your family life... maybe it's time to let the girl go... :eek: :D :thu:

So true:D I now realize that she, the kids, the mortgage, the house, the job, the parents, and the lack of motivation are the ONLY things keeping me from super rock stardom.:cool:

I jest. Thankfully she's fully supportive, and quite indulgent. She'd have to be to stick it out with me!

[the DW]

Originally posted by WillyRay


Hey, man... you gotta make sure you're priorities are set properly...

If buying new drum gear is going to mess with your family life... maybe it's time to let the girl go... :eek: :D :thu:

Don't laugh. That's what I did! Although it wasn't over gear, but it was over music.

Not joking.

She understood. We're still friends.

[theFoot]

I'd agree with T Hofmann that playing with the machine is unatural. I figure there are 2 ways to look at it. One is playing with the machine to find "time", the other is how to stay in time while you're grooving.
Playing with a tight click is a lot more revealing than playing with a rhythm track. Use the click for precision, use the rhythm track for fun and groove. You'll find that playing with a tight click sound, you have to feel your time, because you can't hear the click. Playing with a rhythm track you are supported by other sounds happening around the beat.

Also, check out recording yourself playing along with the click. That can be brutal.

Reading the posts on headphones compels me to point out how important it is to not play them too loud. If you have to tune the click up to get over the sound of the drums, stuff your ears with earplugs.

[Old Steve]

I highly recommend a good set of sound isolating headphones to any drummer. I've built my own out of old walkman drivers and over-the-ear hearing protectors from the hardware store, used commercial ones, and now absolutely LOVE my Shure $99 in-ear headphones. With sound isolating headphones, you don't have to risk killing your ears by cranking the volume of the music/click to be heard over the sound of the drums.

As for how to play with a click, I think it's a great thing to learn to do, and practice. Even if the click is just playing quarter notes, it keeps you honest. Also, most drummers have certain tempos that they gravitate toward, so if you gravitate toward playing 120bpm, it's likely that if you're supposed to be playing at 116bpm, that you'll speed things up. A metronome helps you work yourself away from those kinds of ruts.

A great strategy I learned was to think of the click as an accompanying musician that you're jamming with. Granted, this "other player" is playing a boring and very basic beat, but on the other hand, he's got perfect time. So jam WITH the click like he's some actual guy beating a cowbell or something.

As for playing with music, especially electronic music with a steady beat, it can also be helpful. This is where isolation headphones really help out, IMHO, because depending on the music, sometimes it can be difficult to hear what you're playing along to over the volume of the drums.

Trying to play to a red blinking light is tough to do. If you want a visual cue, hire a conductor to waive his arms....much easier to follow, IMHO.

[manoeuver]

Originally posted by Old Steve
Trying to play to a red blinking light is tough to do. If you want a visual cue, hire a conductor to waive his arms....much easier to follow, IMHO.

It's a great skill to have, though. useful if you want to get tempos for tunes at live shows and don't want to be tied to the click for the whole tune.

Also imporant: before you spend big bucks on a click station or other dedicated metronome device, look at drum machines. I have a Korg Electribe EM-1 groove box I use as a click, composition tool, accompanyment for solo grooving, whatever.

The series of lights blinking and showing the measure going by is useful for keeping time during rehearsals.

And learning to program beats, basslines and leads is a skill that makes one much more valuable to any prospective employer or bandmates.