Do I HAVE to use a metronome?

[anothersmith]

How helpful is it REALLY?

[Guitar Dad]

Use it. It feels awkward at first, but once you can play very slowly (e.g., 60, 1 note for every 4 clicks...yes, start that slowly), you'll get the hang of it in no time.

[Aruthas]

It does not have to be a metronome, but you will benefit enormously from any device that will help you keep time. The natural tendency is to slow down on the harder passages, and speed up when things are easy. Practicing like this will make it really hard for you to adjust when playing with other peoples. If the metronome bugs you, get a small drum machine (Zoom MRT-3 can be found for $100), you won't regret it.

[virtuoso]

I always learn the finger, play without metronome, play with metronome(believe me I am usually off), and speed up with metronome. That's how you measure to see if you actually have horizontal growth.

[rockdonnystyle]

YES YES use a metronome! it's a musician's miracle tool

[revkev]

My personal take: A harsh but necessary taskmaster!

[chet]

Does anyone have any suggestions for a good metronome? How much do they run?

[LarryH in Texas]

You can get a digital metronome for $20 to $25. Mine's a Seiko.

[Guitar Dad]

Originally posted by chet
Does anyone have any suggestions for a good metronome? How much do they run?

Get a Sabine metronome for ~$20. Look for the one with the big dial on the front. The nice thing about the dial is that you can change speeds very quickly; no fumbling around to get it at exactly 100. Trust me, when you've mastered something at 80 and you want to accelerate to 100, the last thing you want to do is fumble around with small buttons.


This is the one I use. $20 + Shipping

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/...69/printable=1

[Aruthas]

My advice: LISTEN TO IT BEFORE BUYING IT! A lot of metronomes are just plain irritating. I personnaly prefer those that have a percussive "toc!", instead of those with an electronic "blip!". Having the possibility to adjust volume is nice, as is the availability of a headphone jack. Boss' DB-88 Dr. Beat is kind of a superstar here, but you can find something reasonnable for far less.

[Guitar Dad]

Originally posted by Aruthas
I personnaly prefer those that have a percussive "toc!", instead of those with an electronic "blip!". Having the possibility to adjust volume is nice, as is the availability of a headphone jack.

Both great points. The Sabine I mentioned has a headphone jack, but does not have a volume control. I run the output from the Sabine into an old PC speaker, which gives me volume control. I keep the metronome sitting on my music stand (so I can keep an eye on the lights), but the speaker on the floor with the volume down (so as to not wake Guitar Baby up when he's sleeping).

The Sabine makes a "toc" sound.

[rockdonnystyle]

I use a Tacktell Super Mini, which isn't digital, but it's effective. It's old school...where ya have to move the weight up and down the shaft thing

[Guitarjonze]

I have a SethThomas old school wind up type metronome with the weight on the shaft that I always swore was not keeping time correctly because playing along with it was so awkward.
Well, It was ME and not the time keeper! I recently bought a quartz metronome last week for use during practice and am still getting used to it as a practice aid. It has that "toc" sound but it's a little loud and has no volume control. I put a small pice of tape over the speaker grill to knock down the volume a little.
Yeah, it's a little awkward at first but when you get in that groove with it it all makes sense!.

[anothersmith]

Thanks, all, for nudging me to use a metronome. I've started using one, and it really is making a difference. The tone is a little irritating, so I may have to look for another brand, but otherwise it's not as annoying as I thought it would be.

[alchu]

yep, essential tool.