Re: The proliferation of the metronome
I've been practicing with a metronome of one sort or another regularly since the mid 1970's. I don't use it live with bands, but from using it seemingly forever, I don't have to.
I use metronomes (a click) to record 99% of the time.
A few years back I played hand percussion on an Irish folk EP. The producer did not want a click as he wanted the music to not be rigid, a lot of it was in 6/8. We did over twenty live takes of a particular song trying to nail it perfect. One take was exactly what he wanted except for a two measure bridge. He was really nervous about being able to piece in the bridge since there was not a click. He called me later and said that as he went through each take, the time was perfect. He was hoping to find one that was close, but he said that he had his choice of the bridge from almost every take. It was the best compliment that I've ever gotten on my playing.
I believe that drilling constantly with a metronome is invaluable to develop good time. I've never taken it out of my practice and I never will.
-Mike
"We don't stop playing because we grow old.
We grow old because we stop playing."
"I wish that my playing reminded people of Steve Gadd. But they seem to confuse me with his little known cousin... E."
"Snare drums happen."
Bookmarks