Reasons to Use a Metronome

1. Metronomes can help you improve your rhythm

If you don’t have natural rhythm (or could do with improving) then a metronome is one of the few tools that can actualy help you. If you can’t stick to a rhythm yourself, then the only way round that is with a metronome or finding someone who can.

2. Metronomes highlight your errors

Similarly, a metronome will highlight your rhythmic errors. By having a consistent, reliable reference point you will be able to see where you are going to fast or slow.

3. Metronomes make you more consistent

There’s a quote which goes “Amateurs practice till they get it right; professionals practice till they can’t get it wrong.” This is all about consistency. When you start out it’s great the first time you play something correctly, but after a while you need to aim for where you always play it correctly. Using a metronome helps you focus on consistency, steadiness and regularity.

4. Metronomes will help you play better with other musicians

If you want to play with a group of musicians then you need to be able to stick to a rhythm that other players are following. If you slow down or speed up and everyone else doesn’t. You’ve got a problem. A metronome not only teaches you to stick to that rhythm but it is also a useful tool when you get out of sync as it forces you to get back in sync with the metronome.

5. Metronomes help you speed up

If you want to get faster, yet keep your accuracy and quality of sound then a metronome is a great tool. Start with a slow beat and then gently increase the speed of the beat to drive you faster. When you can’t accurately play, stop and aim to beat that next time.

6. Metronomes help you notice your improvements

As elluded in the previous point, a metronome can help you notice your progress in a very real way. This is espeically true if you are a more proffesiante player rather than a beginner. Being able to point to an exercise

7. Metronomes help improve your practice activities

Practice activities without a metronome are okay but adding in a metronome helps you to have a more quantifiable measurement of your level. It stops you getting away with statements like “yeah I played pretty quickly” to “I managed to play that at Xbpm”

8. Metronomes help you to record a song

If you want to record yourself playing some music, then you need to be able to follow a beat. Using a metronome while you record helps you stick to that beat, know where you are in the song and what different section you should play at a certain time. They can also let you know when the recording is going to start.

9. Metronomes prevents you from slowing down or speeding up mid song

Likewise, imagine you are recording your song and suddenly it gets faster or slower in the middle section. Not so great when you listen back, but if you use a metronome to keep you steady during the song, you won’t suffer from this problem.

10. Metronomes help you get more confident.

Knowing that you can keep a steady rhythm and follow a metronomes beat will help boost your performing confidence when you play on your own or when you perform with someone else.

11. Having a metronome on your desk makes you look like a real pro

If you have a friend come round and happen to glance the metronome siting one your desk they’ll certainly come to the conclusion that you take your music seriously. You clearly must work hard and be a great player. Impressing people without even picking up your instrument.

A Few Great Metronomes

Okay, so now you know why it’s a good idea to use a metronome you need to pick up one. Here are a few suggestions

iOS app: Metronome+

Metronome+ has some really cool features which enhance your metronome beyond the usual tempo. These include recording your practice, The ability to increase the tempo for a practice routine, a setlist with regular tempos and a pitch mode which plays a defined pitch with the metronome.

Get it on the App Store

Android App: Mobile metronome

Mobile metronome is a free app which includes tap tempo, the ability to change the metronome tone, preset tempos and a beat count down. It does have ads which you have to pay to stop.

Get it here on the Google Play store.

Standalone metronome: Korg MA–1

This is a great basic metronome from Korg. If you want a stand alone device then this is a great choice for you. You can set your tempo, use it with headphones, increase your tempo, tap the tempo in which you want and it’s cheap.

Get it here on Amazon.com

Get it here on Amazon.co.uk

Website metronome

If you like then you can try out a website metronome, it’s a great way to get a very basic metronome for free on any computer.

Click here to access the website metronome

What exercises do you practice with a metronome

The post 11 reasons every Ukulele player should own a metronome appeared first on UKE University.