[amyFB]

I think the first lesson a metronome has to offer is "listening".

It amazes me every time; I set the tempo, get my foot tapping, start to play and six or eight measures in I'm no longer listening to the 'nome, and instead I'm letting my foot tap drive the beat and my fingers push the accelerator.

It takes me some severely focused attention and several false starts before I can HEAR the 'nome while I play.

A bunch of years ago, I bought a vibrating metronome that straps onto my ankle. I found the vibration was distracting and went back to the audible beat. I have an app that offers a variety of drum tones to vary the 'nome and that helps.

Last week at guitar camp, there was the suggestion to make my own backing rhythm tracks to make practice more interesting. I plan to do that - and have the metronome working for me as well.

...and the beat goes on....