Most guitar players need to improve the rhythmic aspect of their playing but don’t realize it! Considering this fact, it’s probably wise to give regular attention to rhythmic studies.
Begin by setting your metronome to 60 beats per minute (bpm), turn it on and just listen. When you feel that you’re really in touch with the pulse, you’re ready to pick up your guitar. Using an E chord, simply strum one downstroke per click. Your goal is to strum exactly with each click – the strum should actually cover up the sound of the click.
If you’re not certain that you are playing in time with the metronome, consider either asking another musician to give you feedback or using a recording device, so that you can listen back to your work. A lot of students who play in time with the metronome at the beginning of a song or exercise quickly tune it out without realizing it. It is important to avoid developing the common habit of turning the metronome on and then completely ignoring it. Your job is to train your ear on that click!
Once you begin changing chords and actually playing songs with the metronome, you may find that your performance deteriorates or that you feel overwhelmed with the number of tasks you’re trying to juggle. If listening to the sound of your guitar and finding your fingerings while also tuning in to the metronome is problematic, try whittling the project down into smaller parts. The best way to do this is to practice strumming with the metronome for very short but regular periods. Use the following exercise to accomplish this goal:
Turn on your metronome. Begin thinking in 4/4 time and count (out loud) with the metronome in 4-measure cycles (1– 2 – 3 – 4, 2 – 2 – 3 – 4, 3 – 2 – 3 – 4 , 4 – 2 – 3 – 4 ). Listen and count through one entire cycle, and then, using an E chord, strum one time per click for the first measure of the next cycle (1– 2 – 3 – 4). Stop strumming, but continue counting and listening carefully for the remaining three measures of the cycle. Repeat this exercise multiple times.
When you are confident that you are covering up the click with your strumming, begin to strum on both the first and third measures of the cycle. Practice until you are consistently strumming with the clicks (on top of the clicks!) and then add the second measure of the cycle, so that you are only laying out on the fourth measure. Finally, you will add the fourth measure and practice until you can play for at least 16 measures (four cycles) without straying from the beat.
The next step in the process is to make smooth chord changes without breaking the rhythm. Choose two chords that are easy for you to play and practice changing them every four measures, then every two measures and finally, every measure.
Know that if at any time you are unsure as to whether you are strumming with the click, you need to back up to an earlier step. Rushing the process will sabotage your goal.