A metronome is defined as a musical device that produces an audible beat. You can set your metronome in beats per second (BPM) at regular intervals in order to practice playing the guitar to a steady pulse. You can use the metronome to improve your rhythm as well as to develop efficient techniques and even speed. Using the metronome will help you keep track your musical progress. A guitarist practicing with a metronome often achieve the faster results in guitar playing. Although many people fear the metronome, it is very useful in improving your guitar playing techniques.

Here are a few tips that will assist you to play your guitar, using a metronome.

 

 

Dedicate your attention and your time to the practice

Set out about 30 minutes each day for your practice sessions with a metronome. Many people find practicing the guitar using a metronome boring and sometimes frustrating because you cannot keep the steady tempo. However, you have to dedicate yourself because at the end of the day, it will yield the best results. 

What we are looking for is fluid motions on both hands. You may feel that playing the guitar is like finger dance on a fret-board. When you feel any excess tensions on your right or left hand, stop playing and see what happened. Do you really need the excess tension to make the move? I bet you don’t. Our ultimate goal is to play the guitar with ease. To develop such technique, you must be aware of what you are doing and correct them. Check our more tips: 8 Quick and Easy Tips for Learning Guitar.

Remember to stretch well before the in-depth and long-term metronome session and also after the session. This will help you to avoid arthritis, carpel tunnel and other related ailments.

 

 

 

 

Start Slow

You need to start slow in order to really know what you are doing.  Slower tempos may be actually more difficult than you expect. This is because you are more aware of what you are doing and rather than automatic pilot. To master the guitar, you must be able to create the grove even when you play in under tempo. Try a few times a day and see you can play in a slow tempo in a few weeks. Foot-tapping the beats in quarter or 8th note beats may help you.

 

Raise the Tempo Gradually

Raise the range gradually, after practicing at the slow tempo. Make sure that you are comfortable to increase the tempo a notch, and you can do it cleanly. Increase the tempo by only by two to four beats per minute. Do not be impatient, play the beat over and over again until you are comfortable with it.

 

Identify Problem Spots

The metronome will help you to identify any spots that causes you any excess tension. When you identify them, practice them separately under tempo. Remember that any excess tension is the enemy of playing the guitar. We always look for a fluid motion. 

 

Practice without a Metronome

Practice the notes/chords you find difficult over and over again until you are now comfortable to practice using a metronome. If you mess up at a higher tempo, do not be afraid to go back to a slower tempo and practice once again and rise higher. This kind of practice is far more beneficial. 

 

Practice with a Metronome Again

After practicing without a metronome, turn it on once again. At this point, you will find out that you are more relaxed and you will be able to push up the tempos to higher levels without stress.

 

Keep Track Your Improvements

Use a note book to keep track your progress. You may not see any improvement within a week, but I bet you will notice great improvements in a few month. Stay focus and practicing the guitar with a metronome. Practice makes perfect? Unfortunately not really… However, practice make you a better guitarist. 

 

Keep reading: “FAQ by beginning guitarists”>>

Read on: “3 Ways to Make Guitar Practice Fun Again”>>

 


For more questions, contact us at info@willanacademy.com or 646-838-3990. Willan Academy of Music offers guitar lessons, piano lessons, and more in NYC, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.