Metronome Ideas

Try to hear subdivisions internally as you play phrases or comp. This will help strengthen the time feel. Focus most of your effort on the triplet and sixteenth note divisions of one beat. Also keep in mind that at faster tempos eighth notes are sometimes more appropriate. Sixteenth-note triplets are also worth working on. One goal to aim for is to easily switch your aural imagination between sixteenth and triplet note subdivisions without effecting the tempo. Exercise: – Set a metronome to click only once per measure. – Improvise with steady quarter notes. – Each measure alternate between sixteenth and triplet divisions internally or vocally. Try ta-ka-da-mi for sixteenths and ga-ma-la for triplets. Or whatever you normally use. – Pay attention to whether or not you are rushing or dragging. – As you become more accurate, change the metronome to click every two measures or four and so on. Working with a metronome is very helpful. Keep in mind that it is important to practice without a metronome as well. Also, look to the source by listening to players that have a great time-feel. Try to play-along with recordings and emulate your favorite players.