Metronome Practice

[StoneDragon]

Hey Mr Samson,

How is your metonome work coming along?

Anything interesting you would like to share?

[MrSamson]

Nothing new on the metronome front...


I did jam with a guy back home that has been playing guitar since High School...I throttled him...it was quite the confidence booster...


I should be home on Sunday with everything dialed in...the new tube distortion pedal is beautiful!!!!

[CyberCobre]

If I remember right, Mr. Samson, your new year's rez was to PRACTICE LIKE A MUTHA. I think that means metronome work too? (evil laffter)

Cobre

[Jason Arch]

I'm a beggining guitarist. I've always been pretty good at musical things. I taught myself to play the piano and drums pretty well. So it's no wonder I'm really frustrated that I can't get the right hand technique down from lesson one. It seems that the pick gets caught on the strings which throws off my rythm. Is this normal? will I ever get past it?

[MrSamson]

I can tell you what worked for me...but it is hard with your post not being as specific or descriptive enough to allow me to completely answer what worked for me...BUT...

The right hand technique talked about in lesson 1 refers to metronome work...my advice is to grit your teeth and bare with it. I fought metronome use for my first full year...performing exercises without metronome...since I started religiously using metronome in September(not that long ago really when you think about it!!)...particularly with scale work and other melodic work...my accuracy and speed...particularly accuracy...have went through the roof.

I think that Stone can attest that I have come a long way...and yes...what you are going through is normal...allow the metronome to slow you down so that you can get it RIGHT...then, before you know it...you are hovering at the 144 to 180 range on the metronome...flying...and it is fun.

So, yes, it is normal..and with work...and PATIENCE (something I have trouble with) you will get past it...WAY past it...

Sir Samson

[StoneDragon]

HA HA... Sir Samson wields the mighty pick-sword and slays the Metronome Monster.... I love it http://www.zentao.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Jason,

Welcome to Jam Session.

You will notice that I harp on the right hand and developing strict alternate picking quite a lot in the lessons. This is partly due to the fact that right hand accuracy, fluidity and speed is my own weakest area. The other reason is that most people when they are learning to play guitar tend to focus all of their attention on the left hand. That's only half of what it takes to really play well.

Most people tend to gravitate toward using a thinner pick for the very same reason that you are having trouble with. A thin pick offers less resistance because it bends as you pick the strings.

I DO NOT recommend that you use a thin pick however. Using a thin pick is like trying to hit a home run with a rubber baseball bat. When it comes to speed, accuracy and tone, a stiff pick is the way to go.

This is only my opinion though. You have to figure out what is best for you. If you keep at it as Sir Samson suggests, you will get the feel for it. Sometimes it's those things that don't come easy that are the most rewarding things to master.

[MrSamson]

Speaking of metronome....

I could be wrong...but I do not see a method for practicing right hand finger tapping...

Stone...or anyone else for that matter, how would recommend practicing right hand tapping with metronome and incorporating chord triads as well...??

So far I have been moving back and forth between maj and minor triads using triplets with the metronome set between 74 and 100...

[Jason Arch]

Hey guys, I think I finally got it. Remember I was having a great deal of trouble with my lesson one right hand technique... Well I found that by holding the pick a different way my problems went away. I was trying to hold the pick so that it was hitting flat against the strings. I just turned it to a slight angle and viola!

Now I am moving on to lesson two. I'll keep you posted on how I'm doing.

Jason

[CyberCobre]

GREAT! Jason. I'm glad you had a break-through. I was wondering how things were going for you and am very glad to hear that things are going your way. Aren't breakthroughs wonderful? Especially when it's something that requires adjustment, not painful perserverence?! =)

CyberCobre

[StoneDragon]

That's the friggin' truth...

[DocRoop]

hey jason...

i hate to be a downer but i wouldn't suggest that you angle the pick. for optimum tone and control you'll want to keep the pick as parallel as possible. also, you should only have a couple mm of pick sticking out to prevent 'pick click' and for control. that'll probably help your problem of the pick catching. of course none of this is written in stone and there will be occasions where the softer attack of angling the pick will be desired. good luck!

[StoneDragon]

DocRoop,

That is sound advice.

Just ask the Dr., he should know. (Frank Zappa)

Welcome to Jam Session.... BTW.... I have this pain in my back.... http://www.zentao.com/ubb/wink.gif

[CyberCobre]

That's because you let Spitty Kitty sleep on your back last night.
:-P~~~```` *

[DocRoop]

hiya StoneDragon

thanx for the welcome. love your site. i've been playing guitar under a year now and purely self taught (i haven't even had the luxury to jam with others yet). as many know, learning an instrument on your own isn't easy since a lot of my time is actually trying to figure out what i'm 'spose to learn and a lot of confusion goes along with it, but it's also very rewarding when something finally does click. your site has a wealth of knowledge i couldn't find anywhere else on the net and you have a natural talent of putting things in a way that are easy to catch on to. as for your back, take two advil, get plenty of rest, and call me in the morning http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smile.gif

[StoneDragon]

If Spitty Kitty slept on my back last night... there wouldn't be enough Advil to kill the pain http://www.zentao.com/ubb/tongue.gif