How and Why To Use Metronome

I tell all my students. I can't tell if your are counting, only if your should be counting.

The playing in time can be ready apparent when listing to a recording our your playing. You WILL hear when you were early or late and not playing n time.

Well, it really is that simple. However, here are a few more tips to get the most our of using a metronome.

First - All, a metronome is simply an external timekeeper to help you develop your own external timekeeper. Avoid the metronome at your peril. Ralph Shaw - King of Ukulele calls this syndrome — Metronome Avoidance Disorder (MAD).

But, I Don't Have Rhythm!

You will hear this retort at times. EVERYONE has rhythm (at least 99.99% do). Not, I made up that percent, but I've never ran across anyone who didn't pass this next test.

For anyone that says I Don't Have Rhythm. Have them count backwards from 10 to 1. Unless they are Christopher Walken , they will most likely do it in time, and with an even count — they have rhythm. More then likely, they just never worked on developing it accurately using their instrument of choice — In our case, the ukulele.

Tips for Using Your Metronome

• Start SLOW and increase the tempo a few clicks, no more than 3 or 4 bpm at a time.
• Don't stop unless it's a real train wreck. For minor problems, keep going - you're going to do the section, piece again.
• Break the music down to a section, measure, line or two notes at a time before proceeding.
• For difficult melodies, separate the rhythm from the notes and learn the phrase monotone—as if it were one note.
• Start the metronome and leave it on for your entire practice session . Get used to Playing in Time`

Your playing WILL NOT become Mechanical — just better and more accurate.

EVERYTHING you do musically and technically should be accurate and on purpose. That is why we put the time in — to get better at what we already can do.

If reading music, it can be broken down to note recognition and rhythm. These can be separated to identify any problem areas in each.

EVERY musician, yes ALL musicians are responsible for keeping time in a band situation. It's not the role of one musician vs. another.

Metronomes

Get yourself a metronome, an external source for helping your develop a internal sense of time and rhythm.

Web Sites & Apps

Here are few places to find a metronome online. Every app store has multiple metronomes available for download to your computer, tablets or phone.

• guitarapp.com • This is the online metronome that I'm using right here. Also an iOS app for: Lessons | Tuner | Metronome | Chords

A Few Other Metronome Resources

• flutetunes.com Metronome • This online metronome allows you to set the tempo using the common tempo terms such as: Presto, Allegro, Andante, Largo, etc.
• Musica Metronome • A very simple metronome right in a browser. Musicca is a most popular music learning platforms, with several million monthly users in more than 150 countries. Based in Denmark, but our team comprises people from around the world.
• Google Metronome • A very simple metronome right in a browser.
• Metronome • A GNOME (Linux ) Flatpak app .