Metronome Use (How to Use a Metronome)

There are plenty of reasons it’s important for any guitar player to be skilled in metronome use. Unfortunately, it can be tempting to avoid practicing with a mechanical noise in the background. But by avoiding this valuable practice tool, you risk annoying your listeners and anyone who attempts to play with you—even if you think your rhythm is perfect!

The solution is to make peace with the metronome, which is what this article will help you do. You might also want to check out the videos where I go into detail about how to use a metronome effectively. (Comprehensive Guitar Instruction by Charlotte Adams, Moving On and the  Virtual Studio.)

Types of Metronomes

The first thing to consider is the metronome itself. Choose a metronome that has a click that is clear and sharp. Avoid the small electronic metronomes with a pitch and instead choose one that has a click or wood block sound and an easy to use dial. If you are willing to sacrifice the ease of a dial and you have a smartphone, you can choose from a variety of metronome apps. Most of them  are free and offer different sounds an options of settings.

There are some advantages to using an electronic metronome. It will allow you not only to set the tempo, but also the time signature and volume. Additional features on some may have options that help you when working with odd or complex time signatures. As you progress, you may even discover creative ways to use the metronome!

As convenient as a phone app may be, I still prefer traditional metronomes—electric (plug-in) or mechanical. They generally provide a more appealing and crisp sound and they’re easy to set and change quickly. (Be aware, though, that mechanical metronomes need to be placed on a level surface to get a steady beat.) I find a stand alone metronome is a better way to work when my phone is busy with other applications. 

Try This Method

The guitar players that I see having the most trouble with metronome use are those who are not consistently tuning in to it. Not only will their success rate be low, they will be aggravated by its sound. They feel like they’re trying to play music while dealing with a distracting background noise!

If the sound is background noise to you, it will be just as annoying as having a television on in your practice room. The obvious (but sometimes not so obvious!) solution is to TUNE IN to the sound of the metronome.

Practice using the following method each time you play. Begin as you do each practice session (as described in the instructional video) by bringing your attention to your breath. Then tune in to your body and the way you’re using it. Choose a very simple exercise to begin your session and set the metronome to a tempo at which you feel you can play the exercise perfectly. Then knock it down a few notches.

Pick up your guitar, check again that your body is relaxed, and turn on the metronome. Just listen to that steady pulse. Close your eyes and internalize the beat. Imagine that the metronome is inside your body and is your own rhythm, your own heartbeat. As you feel the rhythm move down your arms and into your hands, begin to play your chosen exercise. If you notice any tension, soften your neck and send warmth through your arms and hands. If tension persists or you lose the beat, pause your playing, breathe, keep listening and begin again when you really feel the pulse. Continue this way as one long, fluid metronome meditation. Remember that the purpose  of a metronome is to regulate your beat and your goal is not speed, but accuracy. If you think of the beat as external to you, you’ll always be either chasing it or waiting for it.

Slow is Fast

Once you’ve determined the appropriate tempo for a song, you’ll still need to choose a tempo for the starting point of your practice. One of the most common mistakes people make with a metronome is to begin practicing a new piece of music at the target tempo. Instead, start at the tempo you can play well and work your way up slowly to get the quickest results.

When you are able to play WITH the metronome, you’ll be able to use it to hone your repertoire pieces, scales, or exercises. Just be sure you always start at a slow speed and only increase to a faster tempo gradually. If you practice wrong (wrong notes, wrong timing, etc.) you’ll get very good at playing wrong!

In the Practice Room

Now that you understand the way to approach your metronome practice, it’s time to start with a few simple exercises.

If you’ve never played with a metronome before, you may be shocked to discover how often you stray from the steady tempo. If that’s your experience, don’t be discouraged—it’s really common and you’ll get past it. You’ll start your practice by playing a single note, so you won’t have to think about playing right notes while focusing on the click. Your mission will be to cover up that click!

Once you can consistently stay with the metronome from the first note you play, you may notice that things start to fall apart after a certain amount of time. This could happen in as little as a few measures or even notes. That’s okay. Just pause and resume when you regain a sense of the pulse. Hold your concentration and you’ll find yourself going a little longer before the next breakdown. You will build stamina!

When you can comfortably and correctly play quarter notes for at least 8 measures in common time (4 beats per measure), you’re ready to progress to eighth notes. The best way to do that is to simply put an up stroke between each downstroke—but be sure it’s exactly in the middle of the two downstrokes. When you’ve reached proficiency with eighth notes, begin alternating between quarter notes and eighth notes. After that, practice sixteenth notes until you’re comfortable with them. Then, use whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, eighth notes and sixteenth notes—and eventually triplets—in your alternation.

Don’t feel compelled to go through every note value in the first session. The quality of your work is much more important than the amount you “cover” in a practice session. Just make metronome practice a part of your regular guitar practice. Making metronome use a habit is a great way to improve your sense of timing and your overall musicianship. 

Once you are confidently and consistently stay with the beat, you’re ready to play with a piece of music. You will probably find it easiest to start with something that has a moderate tempo. Unless you’re very familiar with the piece and can play it without errors, don’t start at your goal tempo. You want to set yourself up for success—and you certainly don’t want to create or ingrain bad habits by pushing for speed.

Just as you did in your exercises, listen to the metronome until you have a strong sense of the pulse. Then, start playing, keeping your focus on the click. If you find it difficult to stay with it, work with only a small section of the piece. If you’re still having difficulty, choose a slower tempo. Once you’re able to stay with the metronome through the whole piece, you can try it with different tempos.

When you’ve gained proficiency in playing with the metronome in 3/4 and 4/4 time, you are ready to progress to more sophisticated time signatures. You won’t need to change the metronome setting when you change the time signature. The number of beats will change in your head, not in the metronome!

Just like when you learn anything new, productive metronome practice will take time. Be sure you understand the task before launching into it. Some slow clapping while counting out loud will do wonders.

For in-depth instruction in metronome use, check out the video in the Virtual Studio.

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