metronome.com is awesome and its free

sirs as a complete novice am learning roll patterns and enjoying it my question is simply is it better to learn playing a note for every click of metronome or slow it down so you play 2 notes per click coz don't want to get into the habit of thinking a click is a note sub consciously if that makes sense coz i have read all comments and i know that one note per click in 4-4 time is a quarter note and bluegrass banjo playing goes from 8 notes per measure upwards

For me when I use the metronome to try to smooth and even things out, I play 2 notes per click. when things are going better I try to go 4 notes per click. Also I like the old pendulum metronome as my body gets swinging with the pendulum and it helps me feel it more.

This is for what it is worth as I am a poor player at best.

ken

Well put!!

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Originally posted by Banjophobic

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Originally posted by Golden

Hi John,

I try using the metronome but I don't think I am using it right. I have asked for a video to be made showing how to play a tune with the metronome, example would
be playing fireball mail starting at 50 and working up to 100 BPM. I think this would be really helpful.

Ron

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Ron

Actually, I did just that a good while back, after posting this thread. Here's the link for it. Its located amonst the LOTW videos:

banjohangout.org/myhangout/vid...p?id=1915

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Thought it would be nice to have the video actually linked in the thread. Oh, Ive added a later video on rolls with the metronome and one from Bela that I ran across here

http://www.banjohangout.org/myhangout/videos.asp?searchTitle=metronome&searchCat=&searchRateOrder=+%3E+&searchRateValue=&searchPlayOrder=+%3E+&searchPlayValue=&searchStyle=&searchGenre=&searchDateFrom=&searchDateTo=&submit=Search

Hi Part 2 in awesome- Where can I find part 1.

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Originally posted by DrBillM

Hi Part 2 in awesome- Where can I find part 1.

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All of JOhn's stuff is here:

http://www.jsutergraphix.com/LOTW/#formating

I wonder if Earl use a  metronome  ?? ?

Are you sure the guitar is slowing down or is the banjo speedin up?

I learned to play from listening to recordings and the one that I know changes speed is Earls second Break on SallyGoodin.

 when he goes up the neck.

 Iam not sure who speed up first it might be the fiddle.

Dave

I want to say thanks. For someone who knows absolutely nothing about music (like myself). This helped me to understand a note and a measure. I now understand how to put it all in time, this is something I could not wrap my head around before. Thanks

Always good to hear that this thread and videos are helpful-thanks for the feedback!

John Boy,

Tick Tock, Tick Tock...see you in the Chat...Jack 

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Originally posted by Banjophobic

Always good to hear that this thread and videos are helpful-thanks for the feedback!

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Excellent post John!

I learned to count: 1 e & a 2 e & a
while playing snare drum in my HS marching band. As it turned out, the count transferred nicely over to banjo, guitar, and mando.
Very easy to count fast once under the tongue.

Doug

I want to add my two cents worth to the use of the metronome - I started with it on the piano at 5 years old! I play piano, keyboard, guitar, banjo, and drums - for a looooong time :) Started with (a one and a two .... ha!)) you used to wind up, they were made of beautiful wood, shaped like a pyramid - and you had a weight that slid up and down to set the beat. Practicing new material should/must be done with a metronome - practicing without one is cruis'n for a timing bruis'n. You will wander - if you have a drummer in your band and they can hold time, there is your metronome - Drummers usually have a click going that they can hear. In performance its your foot a tapp'n on the beat if you don't have a drummer. Music played out of time is like a pair of shoes that don't fit - you might be able to walk in them, but they aren't going to feel too good :)

Hi John. I appreciate your videos, find, even picking slow to a metronome does teach timing. I believe learning timing early on helps as you progress. I am sure you have been asked, before, is there a posting as to your you tube lessons in order? I would like to go to your first video and go from there.

Thanks!

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Originally posted by M J Booker
 

Hi John. I appreciate your videos, find, even picking slow to a metronome does teach timing. I believe learning timing early on helps as you progress. I am sure you have been asked, before, is there a posting as to your you tube lessons in order? I would like to go to your first video and go from there.

Thanks!

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MJ

Here is a list of John's lick of the week series. It is and unbelievable resource:

http://www.jsutergraphix.com/LOTW/

ken

Thanks everyone-Im glad the thread is helping with some basic understanding. 

I haven't read through this whole post but here are a few of my thoughts on working with a metronome. Above all the metronome improves your ability to LISTEN!

http://perfectnotes.blogspot.com/2013/06/metronomes-john-hartford-and-doing.html

And another post that gives a few pointers:

http://perfectnotes.blogspot.com/2008/10/free-music-lesson-2-working-with.html

Feel free to hit me up if anyone has any questions. I love helping folks practice better.

So I'm trying to figure this metronome timing thing out. I downloaded the app Pro Metronome on my iPhone today, and found that I can play a couple of my favorite rolls at 140 bpm consistently with two notes per click. Two notes per click is 2/4 time? Would this be accurate then saying that I am playing 4/4 at 70 bpm, or does it not cross over this way?

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Originally posted by GreasyNails
 

So I'm trying to figure this metronome timing thing out. I downloaded the app Pro Metronome on my iPhone today, and found that I can play a couple of my favorite rolls at 140 bpm consistently with two notes per click. Two notes per click is 2/4 time? Would this be accurate then saying that I am playing 4/4 at 70 bpm, or does it not cross over this way?

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A 'typical' roll is described as "8th notes", which mean at whatever BPM setting you chose, you are playing 2 notes per beat: one note on the 'down' beat and one on the 'up' beat.

You can also play in cut time and the designations change. Regardless of whether you call rolls 4 per beat (16th's) or 2 per beat (8th's), knowing how they function on any beat is the key to playing them in time and with proper syncopation.

I found this explanation very helpful as well, the theory was important for me to put it into practice. I know it was said earlier in this thread that beginners shouldn't use a metronome, but I'm using it as a way to encourage accuracy, and I'm just focusing on building the muscle memory and a good internal timing clock for the three basic roll shapes. Once I can play the same thing without screwing up for a few measures I'll switch to a different roll, and then back again later. Not speeding it up yet, my finger-picks are still in the mail.

I'm only about a week and a half into my banjo playing, and this is my first music experience of any kind, but I'm 31 and in the Shenandoah Valley for my fiancee's graduate school program, so I figured I was better learning it out here rather than when I move back to Chicago in two years. Anyway, thanks for the info! I've wanted to make a post here for a day or two, and this was the first time I actually had something meaningful to say.

John, I have not read thru all 5 pages so if this has been asked and answered, I apologize.  I'm in a beginning bluegrass jam class with all instruments and anywhere from 15 to 40 people in attendance on a weekly basis.  As a group, our timing sucks big time.  It starts out good but after 4 measures, everyone's on a different time and continues thru the song.  I'm thinking there has to be such a thing as a large metronome (audio and 4 light visual) that could be placed in the front of the class so everyone could practice keeping in the same time.  Is there such a commercial product available out there with a reasonable price tag that you're aware of?  Otherwise, how do other practice sessions accomplish getting everyone on the same page?  Thx  joe

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Originally posted by nograss5150

John, I have not read thru all 5 pages so if this has been asked and answered, I apologize.  I'm in a beginning bluegrass jam class with all instruments and anywhere from 15 to 40 people in attendance on a weekly basis.  As a group, our timing sucks big time.  It starts out good but after 4 measures, everyone's on a different time and continues thru the song.  I'm thinking there has to be such a thing as a large metronome (audio and 4 light visual) that could be placed in the front of the class so everyone could practice keeping in the same time.  Is there such a commercial product available out there with a reasonable price tag that you're aware of?  Otherwise, how do other practice sessions accomplish getting everyone on the same page?  Thx  joe

You can get a digital model metronome and them mic it, to make it louder for all the jammers maybe, Those models also have a flashing light for a visual aid.

This is a great thread. Awesome instructions and great step-to-step guide by banjophobic, thanks! As a beginner myself I feel that one of the biggest advancements I really could hear in my playing was when I realized where in the beat the 5th string struck in a basic forward roll. This helpt me keep tempo not only after the first note of the roll. Soon after the rest of the notes followed. Its so easy to just keep the beat with the first strike in the roll, but when you realize that each strike counts youre groovin!

I just bought a loud metronome -- its too loud to use with an earbud -- but it's great for when I play.  It doesn't sound too loud when I'm playing, but it's hammering away so I hear it.  And boy does it feel good to hear that clicking in time with my playing.  

Recently at a steam and gas show I was captivated by the rhythm of one of the big diesel generators that they run as a display.  It had one exhaust port open and it is a four cylinder so it had a great beat.

I recorded it and loop it as a metronome that doesn't sound clinical.

Not exactly a metronome but you might like this.  

Download the attachment and open in Audacity (or any software that loops).  You can adjust speed by using effects/change tempo in Audacity.  

You might have to adjust the cut by lengthening or shortening the dead space at the front of the clip.  

You will find that dead air disappears as you play but lets you know when the cut starts.

When you loop it it has a nice flow and you can lock onto it but it doesn't BEEP or CLICK.