How to play with the metronome
A metronome is a device that keeps an even beat. Incorporating the metronome into practice can help with a few different things: keeping an even tempo, learning to play faster, and deciphering difficult rhythms. But before it can help you do all of that, you need to learn how to use it, which is exactly what you’ll learn in this article.
There are several free metronome apps available, and if you google “metronome” one will show up! However, I prefer to use a physical metronome to help prevent me from being distracted during practice. I use a Korg TM-40, but the Korg TM-60 is the latest model. This is a tuner and metronome all in one.
Place the metronome on 60 BPM and clap to the beat. You can think of each click of the metronome as one beat. When doing this, be sure that you are clapping at the exact same time as the metronome, not slightly before or after. Many metronomes also have visual cues, such as a light that flashes when it clicks.
Play open A with the beat. Be sure that you are changing your bow directly with the click. The amount of bow you use does not matter.
Play open A for two clicks. These are half notes. To do this, move the bow slower.
Play eighth notes with the metronome. Since there are 2 eighth notes per beat, every other eighth note will not be with the click, making this the trickiest of these first 3 rhythms. If you’re having trouble getting this right, double the speed of the metronome (so if you were on 60, go up to 120). At this doubled speed, you’ll play with every click. Alternate between the two speeds until you feel comfortable playing eighth notes.
Practice scales with the metronome. I teach scales in the following way: 1 note per bow (half notes), 2 notes slurred (quarter notes), and 4 notes slurred (8th notes).
Practice easy pieces with the metronome. These should be pieces you know well and do not have complicated rhythms. If you find yourself having trouble with a particular rhythm, practice it on an open string with the metronome.
Playing with the metronome is a skill within itself that does not always come naturally. I always tell my students that when they’re practicing with the metronome, that’s the only thing they should be focusing on (at least at first!)
