How to Practice With a Metronome: 5 Tips

Are you an absolute beginner and have trouble using a metronome? Here are some tips to help you get started.

1. Say it then play it!

First of all set the metronome to 60 bpm. This is a good starting point for your practice. See if you can say 'ta' to the beat. You need to be precise and be in sync with the sound of the metronome. It is easier to say the beat initially rather than try to play along with your instrument. This will help you internalise the beat.

2. Tap along with the beat.

Now start tapping your leg or desk with your hand while you are saying 'ta' to the beat. Can you do this and keep in time with the beat? Once you are comfortable with that, start using your foot to tap the beat. Your foot engages with the floor at the exact moment you hear the click of the metronome.

3. Play your instrument with the metronome.

Once you can tap your foot perfectly in time with the beat, begin to play your instrument one quarter note every beat. Make sure each note is in sync. When you can play in time consistently, start playing two eighth notes per beat. Make the notes even with the first note falling perfectly in time with the metronome. Do this for a while until you are very comfortable and are playing precisely with the beat. By now you have developed the skill of listening to the metronome and feeling the beat internally.

4. Now play a scale.

Next try playing a series of notes with the metronome. Begin slowly and play one quarter note with each beat and change notes every beat. Once you have achieved playing in time, practice your scale with eighth notes playing two notes per beat. If you can do this perfectly in the pocket of the groove, you are ready for the next step.

5. Playing four notes per beat.

It is more challenging to play a series of notes with a slower metronome beat than one note per beat. You really have to feel the pulse of the groove in your body. Now try playing four sixteenth notes with the metronome, slowing the metronome down if necessary. The point of this exercise is not to play fast but to keep the notes even and in time so that you are landing on the beat with every first note of the four note sequence.

Congratulations! By now you should be getting comfortable playing along with a metronome. At first it can be daunting to use a metronome in your practice but over time it will become your best friend, rather than your worst nightmare! Keep playing regularly and most importantly...have fun.