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Post by metallatem on May 5, 2007 18:32:54 GMT -5
This is probably as rudementary as it gets...,but, for the musically ignorant (me) I really don't know how to employ the sucker.
Like if you're rippin triplets, let's say, do you pick three notes per click? I've never seen anything that baby steps this, just stuff that assumes you already know what to do.
Things like 'play it slow @ 70 bpm then increase 10 bpm until ur @ 500 bpm' stuff like that. I guess I don't understand how to clock rhythm with respect to metronome/tempo.
I've read Joel's story on his woodshedding with the metronome and how he increased his shredding speed prowess (well written by the way).Me no comprende.
But maybe an MC Metronome 101 might be in order. ? I know, like none of you have anything to do. I'd write it but I'm the dumbazz.
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Post by pcsmall on May 5, 2007 22:10:09 GMT -5
yeah basically what you're doing when you play with a metronome is you're playing subdivisions of each beat which have a name given to them by how much of the measure they take up. in 4/4 time (4 beats per measure), a quarter note is 1/4 of the whole measure, 8th notes are 1/8 of the measure, 16th are 1/16, so on. with triplets, the notes are played in groups of three in the space of how they're written: with 8th note triplets, you do 3 in the space of 2 8th's or 1 quarter, with 16th note triplets you do 6 in the space of 4 16th notes, so on. sorry if that confuses ya...it takes time to get your brain wrapped around if you're knew.
the way i learned it was to just take it one beat at a time. first practice quarter-notes by just playin with the click...sound one note each time the metronome clicks. once you get the hang of it, you can practice doing 8ths by hitting 2 notes equally spaced in between each beat, and so on. It's not that hard to figure out once you're doing it...i just got to where i could play with a metronome without any problems a few months ago...you just have to train your brain to divide the beats.
hope that helps
If you have a used book store anywhere you can usually get beginner music-theory books that break down subdivisions really well for a decent price, or you can google for sites with beginner theory stuff on it like that.
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Post by jazziiiguy on May 6, 2007 0:20:41 GMT -5
Before you can really understand a metronome, you need to develop an understanding of rhythm itself. I don't know your playing level, so I'll include the basics. As a beginner, understanding rhythm can be difficult. It's something I had to work with a lot, read over and over, work with some more, and then re-read again! I'll try to break it down as simply as possible to try to help you avoid that problem.
The most basic place to start is 4/4 (four quarters) standard time. In 4/4 time, there are four beats per measure. A whole note lasts a whole measure. Every other note from that point cuts the beat by half (until you get into triplets and other odd-number groups).
So a whole note lasts for a whole measure, which means it gets four beats; count it out as you play it and accent the first beat: "1, 2, 3, 4," etc. I think it's best to start here, so you can get a feel for tapping your foot with the beat, which will give you a better feel for solid timing.
A half note lasts half a measure, or two beats, and is counted numerically the same way.
Quarter notes are one beat each, which means you play one on every click of the metronome. Use the same counting pattern as above.
Eighth notes subdivide the rhythm into downbeats and upbeats. Don't let the word "subdivide" confuse you. All that means is you play them two notes per beat -- one on the downbeat, and one on the upbeat. These are counted "1, and two, and three, and four, and," etc.
Sixteenth notes are easy: just play them with alternate picking, four notes evenly spaced per beat, and count "1 e & a, two e & a, three e & a, four e & a," etc.
Then you have triplets. Easy stuff there! Quarter note triplets are three notes per beat, counted "One triplet and triplet, two triplet and triplet," etc.
Sixteenth note triplets are six notes per beat. You might want to slow down the metronome when you start playing these and build up to higher speeds. I count these the same as quarter triplets, only faster.
And the final basic rhythm is the thirty second note. Twice as fast as sixteenths, 8 notes per beat. I have no idea what the "proper" counting pattern is for these; I just go by feel, because it's usually too fast to count anyway.
Now, why should you count rhythms? For one, it helps to enforce and ensure your understanding of various rhythms, which means solid timing. The second reason it's a good idea is because everything you play -- rhythm AND lead -- has rhythm to it. Nothing will sound good if your rhythm is all over the place. Solid timing is essential if you want to master the guitar. Always remember to keep your foot down on the downbeat and in the air on each "and."
And as for your original question. Each click of the metronome is one beat. So in 4/4 time, four clicks would be a whole measure. It should be pretty easy to figure out the clicks now. Good luck, and I hope this helps you!
\m/
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schweinhund
IG Old Sk00l Badass
She's a maniac on the floor
Posts: 677
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Post by schweinhund on May 6, 2007 8:24:13 GMT -5
.. What they said
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Post by pcsmall on May 6, 2007 13:14:56 GMT -5
still waiting on Dr. Matt to chime in...
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Post by Stefvorcide on May 6, 2007 16:26:10 GMT -5
when i get sober i can make pic with music notation
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Post by jazziiiguy on May 6, 2007 18:35:06 GMT -5
.. What they said LoL
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schweinhund
IG Old Sk00l Badass
She's a maniac on the floor
Posts: 677
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Post by schweinhund on May 6, 2007 20:02:04 GMT -5
when i get sober i can make pic with music notation I think the poor guy can't wait until next spring..
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Post by jazziiiguy on May 6, 2007 22:26:08 GMT -5
Haha!
If that's the case, metallatem, if you've got a few extra bucks to spare, I recommend Troy Stetina's books for some examples of what we're talking about.
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Post by mattjem7vwh on May 7, 2007 2:35:39 GMT -5
still waiting on Dr. Matt to chime in... ahaha, well fella I think you answered the question as well as it can be answered! but mr metallatem was after a simple answer.. not sure I can do one of those but here goes! the metronome can be used to measure how well you are improving. start off slow with a reading of 60 bpm (or one click every second) play four notes evenly in the time it takes the metronome to do one "click". then speed the metronome up by 10bpm, but still play 4 notes from the start of every "click" by increasing the frequency of the clicks but keeping the same amount of notes played per click you can monioter how fast you are playing. ie four notes per click at 60bpm is four notes a second.
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Post by pcsmall on May 7, 2007 10:47:44 GMT -5
why does rythym have to be the most f***ed thing to try and explain yet it's so fundamental?
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Post by Stefvorcide on May 7, 2007 11:28:02 GMT -5
replace under by above btw, do one measure (repeated) at a time anyone lemme know if theres something more to add
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Post by jazziiiguy on May 7, 2007 20:05:05 GMT -5
Emp, I think maybe some text beneath the tab, explaining the type of note being played -- quarter, eighth, etc. It's already been detailed above, but it might be easier for metallatem if he can see what we were talking about.
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Post by Stefvorcide on May 7, 2007 20:55:46 GMT -5
im not the only one who can post pics, you know *hint hint*
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Post by jazziiiguy on May 7, 2007 21:39:42 GMT -5
im not the only one who can post pics, you know *hint hint* Hahaha! I would, but I don't know how to do image coding and all that. Plus I don't know how to make a non-text tab. Tell me how and I will.
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