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Metronome or drum track?

Author: Tony M
Date: 2011-10-01 23:29

This question comes out of the thread on playing scales at higher speeds. I have recently switched from playing scales, arpeggios, progressions, etc. against a metronome to playing against a drum track (should that be 'with', Dr. Freud?). I feel more comfortable with the sense of rhythm that a drum track imparts even if the beat is very basic and rhythmically simple (bass-snare-bass-snare with a hi-hat on the eighth note). Certainly issues of grouping notes, hearing ahead, etc. become easier because it is easier for me to feel where the beat is going. Little things, like substituting a cymbal for the hi-hat as a marker of the turnaround, allow me to be aware of where I am in the practice without necessarily having to distract myself from concentrating on whatever I am playing. And it makes it easier to feel like I am making music whilst practising rather than just drilling myself.

All that in itself is fine but I have a nagging concern that I'm losing something by leaving the sparse regimen of the metronome. Any thoughts from more experienced heads?

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Re: Metronome or drum track?

Author: EEBaum
Date: 2011-10-02 00:06

I like the idea, don't see any problems with it, imagine it might be considerably more beneficial than a ticking/beeping metronome. Think I may have to start doing that.

-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com

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Re: Metronome or drum track?

Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2011-10-02 03:27

I'm ambivalent. Anything you can do to get a consistent beat into your head is good, but a drum track tends to become the main thing (as it is in contemporary popular music, where I, at least, can barely hear the words beneath the racket). I need to concentrate on my part, rather than making it an adjunct to the overpowering rhythm.

I want the beat to be the foundation and me the solo, not the other way around.

Ken Shaw

Post Edited (2011-10-02 03:28)

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