Practicing with a metronome vs practicing with a song?

Jak Angelescu · Nov 25, 2019

Hey there guys! I'm usually very studious and disciplined with practicing with a metronome. However I've been feeling like it's making my practice a little bit dragging. I have been downloading some backing tracks and changing the speed of them to practice my scales and lesson patterns along to it. However I'm finding myself instead of practicing the speed of my scale patterns and connecting the scale patterns I end up jamming instead. I get easily distracted and want to play along to the backing track instead of being focused. I think that's okay but I'm nervous I won't ever improve with the speed of my scale runs if I keep doing this. When do you guys think it's a good time to put the metronome down and do you think there is a situation that allots both of these conditions? Am I getting metronome burn out?

Dominik Gräber · Nov 25, 2019

That's a very exciting question! I can't really tell you the answer because I really just start out on playing to ANYTHING really but I am curious what everybody has to say about this.

idssdi · Nov 25, 2019

I'm not gonna lie I have NEVER EVER practiced scales and scale patterns to a metronome. My scale practice mostly consist of ooh that's how the scale, these notes are in the scale run it up and down like 10 times so they are on my muscle memory and use them in an improv or write a solo using it.

Now you may be wondering, how do you learn licks and scale runs then? I learn songs and practice those with a metronome. For example the Beast and The Harlot solo has a fast D minor scale run in it. Practice that to a metronome(or a backingtrack like you are doing now) and you have a musical application of a fast scale run and can have fun playing along with a metronome at the same time. I've never seen the use of Playing scale runs without any reference/context so this is my way to practice them but also have fun along the way(and you get the reward of being able to make familiar sounds with your guitar when you're done)

I also never really sat down to learn specific licks. I always either come up with licks myself or steal some from solos I learned.

Hope this answers your question Jak

Can_kaygisiz · Nov 25, 2019

Try to record your own backing tracks with metronome, also analyse it , than play your solo on to it. In my opinion that's the best way to understand the logic of theory and upgrading solo skills. [deep note : Do not overload same scale therefore you get scale soundings in your improvisations. Try slidings all over the scale to get more different soundings.] Hope it is helpful for you brother !! Stay heavy !

Cedric L · Nov 25, 2019

I never stopped using a metronome. I know it's boring to play with it. But what I like is to put the metronome over the song. So I play the song WITH a metronome in the background. I can't tell you if that works very well with scale learning because I don't learn scales so much...

Ed Seith · Nov 25, 2019

I have a strict regimen of exercises I do with the metronome every day (mostly) and then I focus on PLAYING, if I still have time available.

All work and no play makes Jak a dull girl.
All work and no play makes Jak a dull girl.
All work and no play makes Jak a dull girl.
All work and no play makes Jak a dull girl.
All work and no play makes Jak a dull girl.
All work and no play makes Jak a dull girl.
All work and no play makes Jak a dull girl.

Jak Angelescu · Nov 25, 2019

To be quite honest every single one of these answers helped me immensely! I'm sorry I don't have the time to respond to every single 1 of you but I loved every answer! And Ed, big brownie points to you for typing all those out lol!

Calvin Phillips · Nov 25, 2019

I always have the metronome in the background. I usually change it to the beat of my track. Most are the same though. I barely change it. Sometimes I forget to change it when I need to but it doesnt really bother me because my foots going at the speed I want.

AGA · Nov 25, 2019

Maybe try new things with the metronome to keep practice fresh.
There's this exercise called "Bury the Metronome" which helps with accuracy.
Basically, you set your metronome at a very low volume, barely audible.
When you play with excellent timing you essentially bury the metronome because you can't hear it, if your timing is slightly off you'll hear the metronome.
It helps internalize rhythm and timing.

Jak Angelescu · Nov 25, 2019

EXCELLENT suggestions you two!!

Firsty Lasty · Nov 25, 2019

I never ever use an actual metronome. I only use drum tracks, usually something I made in hydrogen drum machine but sometimes I go on youtube and find videos of real drummers. I would die of boredom in about ten seconds if I tried to practice to the obnoxious sound of non-musical clicks.

Rute Rodrigues · Nov 26, 2019

Hm, If I want to practice my speed playing scales, ill definitely use the metronome, but 90% of the time, when I want to practice scales, I use a backing track and jam with the scale. For me, its the best way to practice a scale. I use the metronome to build speed, like practicing solos or licks. And, you know, Its really funnier to jam with a backing track that just being obsessed with playing over the metronome X).

Calvin Phillips · Nov 26, 2019

You dont hear the metronome when theres other music going around. Especially if it's the same beat. When I'm alone.. I set it to 180. That seems fast but I chug at that speed. My palm mutes. And it's an easy speed to count in 2s or 3s.. 90 120 60 30.. even 40.. all multiples of 180. Its an easy beat to slow down.

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