MetroNome

A metronome is every musician's best friend, regardless of skill level. Many beginners avoid it, thinking it "kills the feeling," but the truth is the opposite – solid rhythm gives you freedom.

Regular practice with a metronome helps in:

• Keeping a steady tempo: Prevents unconscious speeding up in easy parts and slowing down in difficult ones.
• Rhythmic precision: Teaches you to hit the "pocket" perfectly.
• Measuring progress: If you play an exercise at 60 BPM today, and at 80 BPM next week – you have hard proof of your development.

BPM (Beats Per Minute): The number of beats per minute. It determines the speed of the piece.

• • 60 BPM: One beat per second (clock).
• • 120 BPM: Standard pop/disco tempo.
• • 140+ BPM: Fast tempo (rock, metal, drum'n'bass).

Time Signature: Determines how many beats are in one bar.

• • 4/4: Most common. "One, two, three, four".
• • 3/4: Waltz. "One, two, three" (like "Happy Birthday").
• • 6/8: Common in rock ballads and blues.

Patience is key. Here is a proven method for working on a difficult piece:

1. Slow down drastically: Set the metronome to a tempo where you can play the fragment perfectly, without any mistakes. This might even be 50% of the target speed.
2. Repeat: Play the fragment 3-5 times flawlessly at this slow tempo.
3. Speed up in small steps: Increase the tempo by 2-5 BPM. Play flawlessly a few times again.
4. Repeat the process: Gradually reach the target tempo. This way your fingers "remember" the correct movement, not the mistakes.