The Clicking Box of Death (aka Mr. Metronome)

I feel the number one recommended practice tool that the least amount of people take advantage of is the simple metronome. For some people, mainly drummers, I feel they think it is akin to accepting defeat. They think, "I am the one who should be keeping time, not this machine." That's very true, but any musician who is worth a damn has practiced to a click either knowingly or not.

I've heard the arguments, "playing to a click loses the soul, it makes it sound robotic, it's NOT MUSIC." These are all fair comments to make but i would argue that a metronome is one of the most vital and underrated pieces of a quality musical performance either live or in the studio.

If you can play to a click you can play anywhere and with anyone. Practicing to a click allows you to get a feel for more tempos and can stretch your range as a musician. If you're a drummer it will make you more rock solid and if you are not rhythm focused in your performance, it will train you to listen for the beat and blend better with your fellow musicians. If in doubt, remember to listen. Less musicians know how to listen to each other and honestly, it shows. I can tell if a band is just five guys up there playing their own solo concert that happens to be at the same time as four other people, and so will your audience.

All it takes is a few minutes a day to get comfortable practicing with a metronome. Start out playing something you know by heart, be it a scale or a 4/4 beat. Play it slowly matching the click and gradually speed up the click. As the metronome speeds up, you should match it focusing on your playing as you do. After a week I guarantee you'll be amazed at how easy it is and how much cleaner your performance will be at varying speeds. Try it for a week and let me know how it goes.

As always, keep making music!

-Devon.

Chief Noise Officer

Red Rabbit Recordings.