Jump to content

Learning songs with metronome


Georgus

Recommended Posts


  • Member ID:  2,577
  • Group:  Members
  • Followers:  0
  • Topic Count:  1
  • Topics Per Day:  0.00
  • Content Count:  1
  • Content Per Day:  0.00
  • Reputation:   0
  • Achievement Points:  0
  • Solved Content:  0
  • Days Won:  0
  • Joined:  01/15/2021
  • Status:  Offline
  • Last Seen:  

When practicing a song from YouTube how do I know what bpm to set the metronome that would fit the speed of the song 

Link to comment
Share on other sites


  • Member ID:  12
  • Group:  Members
  • Followers:  8
  • Topic Count:  184
  • Topics Per Day:  0.08
  • Content Count:  1,235
  • Content Per Day:  0.54
  • Reputation:   1,089
  • Achievement Points:  0
  • Solved Content:  0
  • Days Won:  177
  • Joined:  01/04/2018
  • Status:  Offline
  • Last Seen:  
  • Birthday:  07/19/1948
  • Device:  Windows

I'm not sure why you need the metronome if you are playing along with the song.  When the song starts you should be able to tap your foot, or however you get the beat, and then play along with that beat.

But if you want to be able to get the tempo, to set a metronome, perhaps to work a lick or section, there are ways.

First, most metronomes will have a "tap tempo" mode.  This allows you to, as the name suggests, to tap a button on the metronome with the beat and then the metronome will set itself to that speed.  On my Line 6 POD 500X the button is just called "TAP".  On my phone app, "Mobile Metronome Pro", there is a button that says "or tap tempo here".  You may have to consult the manual for your metronome to find out how to start and stop it.  But the concept is the same.  You start the metronome counting and then after a time period stop it.  The metronome counted the beats and the number of seconds you had it count those beats.  The metronome does the math and then gives you beats/minute.

Lastly, you can just time it yourself.  Do it the way we healthcare people always used to count heart rates before it, like everything, went digital!🤔  Remember the nurse or healthcare person holding your wrist (palpating) and looking at his/her watch? Tap along to the song and count and time yourself.  Count the beats and then, depending on how long you measured, convert it to 1 minute.  If you counted 23 beats for 15 seconds, multiply 23 by 4 and you have 92 bpm.  Count 31 beats in 10 seconds?  31 x 6 = 186 bpm.  Are you listening to metal?😁   The longer you count for the more accurate it will be.   At least 15 seconds for most accuracy.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites


  • Member ID:  6
  • Group:  Members
  • Followers:  6
  • Topic Count:  30
  • Topics Per Day:  0.01
  • Content Count:  1,053
  • Content Per Day:  0.46
  • Reputation:   777
  • Achievement Points:  0
  • Solved Content:  0
  • Days Won:  144
  • Joined:  01/04/2018
  • Status:  Offline
  • Last Seen:  
  • Birthday:  12/14/1960
  • Device:  iPhone

Like it was said above,  if you're playing along with a song , the tempo is set for you, so no need for a nome

 

But I've learned one thing  

If you're playing on your own or in a group and you're the lead guitar, you set your own tempo ( fast or slow) and everyone will have to follow. 

So if you must use a nome, set it slow enough for you to be accurate and speed it up as needed.

Don't worry about what the original was recorded at, you're playing it now as you

(I know it sounds like I'm recommending not using a nome)

Edited by Eracer_Team-DougH
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites


  • Member ID:  157
  • Group:  Members
  • Followers:  0
  • Topic Count:  10
  • Topics Per Day:  0.00
  • Content Count:  278
  • Content Per Day:  0.12
  • Reputation:   216
  • Achievement Points:  0
  • Solved Content:  0
  • Days Won:  12
  • Joined:  01/09/2018
  • Status:  Offline
  • Last Seen:  
  • Birthday:  02/13/1955
  • Device:  iPhone

Slow the metronome down to fit the hardest section/measure you’re working on; then you can bring the entire song along as you improve.  
A great idea is to use the metronome to practice syncing your rhythm to the backbeat on beats 2 and 4.  Great for “losing” the monotone sound of beginning guitar students and taking a step towards sounding like a musician.  
I also find counting out loud (or to myself) is a great technique for practice.  
Hopefully I didn’t walk on too many previous posts; and yes, I’m not where I want to be yet in this regard.  

Edited by Plantsman13
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites


  • Member ID:  12
  • Group:  Members
  • Followers:  8
  • Topic Count:  184
  • Topics Per Day:  0.08
  • Content Count:  1,235
  • Content Per Day:  0.54
  • Reputation:   1,089
  • Achievement Points:  0
  • Solved Content:  0
  • Days Won:  177
  • Joined:  01/04/2018
  • Status:  Offline
  • Last Seen:  
  • Birthday:  07/19/1948
  • Device:  Windows

@Plantsman13 how could you have walked "on too many previous posts"?  Thanks for your input.

  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Chatbox

    You don't have permission to chat.
    Load More

About us

Guitar Gathering is a community of guitar lovers of all types and skill levels.  This is a place of learning, support and encouragement.  We are unapologetically positive.

If you've come here to gripe, demean others or talk politics then this isn't the place for you.

But if you've come to talk guitars, ask questions and learn from professionals and guitar learners from all over the world then come on in!

Get in touch

Follow us

facebook feed

Recent tweets

×
×
  • Create New...