Songwriter Forum > The Writing Process

Click\Metronome and Bpm

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Pres:
This topic relates to Songwriting,Performing and Recording.

Also Finding the right Tempo for the tune has a huge impact on it.
click tracks were not commonly used in the studio until the early 90's.
Do you use metronome before you play your song live?
What do you think about the necessity of mastering your song with a metronome?
How do you choose the right Bpm for recording?

Boydie:
IMHO metronomes are good for practicing scales, and sometimes practicing songs, to ensure you develop good practicing habits - i.e. Playing everything at the same speed, there is nothing worse than learning how to play a scale or song and then play the easy bits fast and the harder bits slowly

The discipline of playing EVERYTHING at the same speed (i.e. Play everything as slowly as the hardest bit and only then start building up speed) will stand you in good stead for when you perform for real

I say "sometimes practicing songs" as for me the real joy of music comes from the "push and pull" of the tempo and the "pocket" of the groove - e.g. A kick or snare being slightly early or late can make  all the difference

I would therefore say that a metronome or click track can be vital if you are playing in a situation where the timing needs to be spot on - e.g. To sync with a video or triggered samples

They are also useful to identify the bpm of a song whilst you get used to it

However, I would suggest practicing to a basic drum beat (kick, snare, hihats) as this will be much more interesting for you and also start giving you the feel of playing with a drummer

In my 25+ years of playing live I have never used a metronome - it is best to just rehearse the songs at the tempo you feel they should be and then just go with what happens on the night - as I feel it is also important to match the tempo with the crowd. If it is a rocking night, the adrenaline is pumping and everyone is up and dancing you are likely to want to play songs slightly faster

Martinswede:
Hi!

The firs 15 years I played guitar I couldn't stand playing with a metronome. I think it mostly related to me not playing in a fixed tempo. Simultaneously playing an instrument and singing is difficult, doing it good might take a hundred hours of practicing.

My advice is to first practice without a metronome and to divide it into two parts. Sing while clapping four beats on every bar. When that goes smooth, try clapping just the first beat of a bar. Secondly play the guitar and tap your foot 4/4, 8/8.

Then you start to analyze your songs. Try to imagine the beat in your head. See if you play every note on the beat, if you play some triplets, see how they interact with the beat.

When I play I usually let myself use any kind of note division within a bar. I just focus at changing chords appropriate to chord changes. And remember a groovy rhythm usually uses tiny off beats, divided triplets, grace notes, dotted notes frequently. No metronome can help you there.

Finding the bpm of a song can sometimes be nearly impossible. I find the best way is to set it together with the vocals. If a song has an eight bar intro an off set of +/- 5 bpm might be impossible to notice. But when you sing you have, in someway, more of a full body experience. It will be easier to notice if it goes too fast or too slow by noticing the way you have to sing.

Keep analyzing,
Martin

mikek:
Playing and singing at the same time...to a click....is extremely difficult for most humans. As Boydie recommended, play to a drum track with kick and share instead. It's a much more organic experience.

Pres:
 @boydie @martinswede Thank you! you both suggested some great tips.

It's easier to play to a drum track but you still have to know how to
keep it tight when you play live without a percussionist.
also when you record the bass part without a drum track.

I guess more practice is a big part of the answer :)

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