I’m having a peculiar problem with keeping beat. I notice that when I’m listening to someone play or if I’m singing, I can keep tap my foot to the beat without any problems. This comes effortlessly, and in fact it’s hard not to do so when the music’s lively! But it’s a very different story when I start playing the flute or whistle. Then I find it impossible to tap my foot or mentally keep beat without messing up the melody. I also find that I speed up in some places and slow down in others while playing.
To work around this, I’m thinking of getting a metronome and using it till I can figure out how to keep beat myself. I spoke to a guitar player friend of mine about this. He told me that I should avoid a metronome and instead tough it out till I eventually learn by myself without becoming dependent on someone/something else keeping the pace for me.
What do you suggest I should do about this? Is a metronome advisable?
I may be way off base, but I’d say you have to stop thinking the music and just feel the music. You don’t think it when you listen, you feel it. I think the same is for someone who learns by ear, they think of the instrument just like when you whistle. You don’t think of the notes whistling, you just whistle…
But Tony, I learn music exclusively by ear. I barely know how to read sheet music and I haven’t really given ABC a try yet. So all my learning has been by listening to someone else play. My problem seems to be that when I play, my focus is on getting the right notes out of the instrument. This may be a beginner’s issue since I don’t have the fingering deep enough in my subconscious mind.. I don’t know :roll: .
Yes, you should get a metronome and practice either with it, or with someone else who can keep the beat… Either way, listen and match closely with your playing.
I agree with eskin, a metronome would be very helpful. It’s a lot easier on yourself (and others) to practice playing with the metronome. If you learn to play “on the beat” with a metronome, it will be much easier to match the beat of session players.
I don’t mean to suggest anything, primarily because you a much better player than me, but you have to learn the instrument like you were whistling. There still seems to be some seperation there. But I know nothing so it is speculation on my part.
This may sound rather simplistic but keep time with your foot also. Use the metronome and count yourself in. Don’t let your foot stop. Also make sure you start at a slower speed than required for the tune and keep perfect rhythm. Then progress to a faster tempo until you reach the desired speed. Always make sure your timing is spot on for each tune speed.
Thanks everybody! I’m going to go ahead and buy a metronome after all. It’ll remind me to keep tapping my foot while playing. Jon, thanks for the link. I saw that metronome on the Net too, but I’m looking for something portable because I find myself pulling out my whistle or flute anywhere I can find the mood and time these days.
And Tony, I didn’t mean to sound offended or anything. Where I stand now, I cannot be much better than anybody .
While a metronome might be able to help someone with unsteady tempo, I think that there is a problem with beginners using the metronome in a way that may also create a very inflexible, stunted rhythm. I think it would be a good idea, if one wants to use a metronome, that one leaves as much space between each click as possible, eg. 1 click every 2 main beats? There are often subtleties involved in the rhythm/swing of good diddly, and the whole idea is to use the metronome as a tool to steady your tempo but not iron out your rhythm.
I think its possible to work tempo issues out without a metronome though - I’ve done so without one myself. Basically you’ve just to be extra aware of what you’re playing. That’s the main thing. If you’re playing too fast to be maintain a level of awareness, play slower. Tapping your feet when you listen to music might also reenforce your tempo. Playing with people who are sensitive and will tell you when your tempo is bad will also help.
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