Metronome Archives - Page 2

This time around, I have two lessons in one for you to try out. The first part touches on the concept of practicing with a metronome. In this example, the metronome is counting on beats two and four. To make this fun, the other part focuses around a sort of offbeat, Larry Graham-style rhythm. We tie it all together –...

Ever since I got my first iOS device, I’ve become a bit of a metronome junkie. I’m endlessly curious about how many ways one can implement time keeping into a design aesthetic and how many functions can developers think of doing. I’m also a fan of minimalism… I love a great, bare bones design: no fluff, no fat, just what...

Korg has introduced the TM-50 combo tuner/metronome. The latest edition of the their TM series allows for using both the tuning and metronome functions simultaneously while including a newly designed LCD needle-type meter. The TM-50’s pitch detection ranges from C1 to C8 with a tempo range of 30 to 252 beats per minute. Other features include reference tone generation, 15...

First things first, I’m not trying to open a “metronome debate.” I’m also not trying to lecture people about using (or not using) a metronome during their practice sessions. Instead, I’m going to shed some light on why and how metronomes can be useful tools when it comes to practicing and experimenting with your instrument. We’ll examine the differences between...

I was planning on writing this article on Metronomics, an app developed by John Nastos offering quite a few new features that go beyond your basic metronome app. However, I was recently tried out “Time Guru” by Avi Bortnick (John Scofield’s sample guru and rhythm guitarist) which does many of the same things – and also a few different things....

Korg has introduced the MA-1 Solo Metronome, a device capable of audible beat keeping, rhythm training and tuning, via a chromatic pitch source. Adjustable from 30 to 252 beats per minute, the MA-1 features a swinging metronome style needle display with on-screen triangles to inform which beat you’re on or how far into a pattern you are. Tempo can be...

I have tried every metronome on the market (app store market that is) and, while “Metronome Plus” is my favorite when all I need is a quick, clean way to keep time, Dr. Betotte is hands down the best metronome for odd meters, trickier functions and as a practice tool. I believe that this is actually based off of the...

Rotosound has two new tuners on the market, designed for stringed instruments. Each of the tuners works by clipping the unit to the instrument. The Clip-On Tuner (AT350) offers chromatic, bass, guitar, violin and viola tunings, with a detection range of A0 (27.5Hz) to C8(4186.0Hz), a pitch range of 430Hz to 450Hz (1Hz stops), and a detection accuracy of ±...

Practicing very, very slowly One of the main advantages to playing a passage vastly under performance tempo is that you give yourself ample time to think. It is easier to plan, calculate and control your playing at slower tempi. Exactly how slowly you should practice depends on the difficulty of the passage. In general, the more difficult the passage, the...

Korg has released the Micrometro, a compact clip-on metronome so you can keep time wherever you go. It uses 39 traditional pendulum settings to set the tempo between 40 and 208 beats per minute. It also has seven time signatures provided, as well as duplet, triplet, and quadruplet patterns. Volume is adjustable, and can be muted for practice with only...

Profile has expanded their tuner/metronome line to include the new PT-2800, a mini clip-on tuner. The PT-2800 features a gigantic bright multi-colored LCD that should be visible from the headstock in any lighting condition. The best part is that it changes from red to green once you’re in tune. You can get your strings in shape at a glance! The...

One of the biggest creeds for bassists is “thou shalt worship thy metronome” (it comes right after “thou shalt be the sexiest member in the band”), and with good reason. Sexiness aside, we are the foundation, both harmonically and metrically, for the rest of the band. We’re the pulse. These exercises will help you get more mileage out of your...