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Learning to Use a Metronome Effectively Part 2: Things Start to Click Understanding, Reading, and Playing Rhythm by Matt Baamonde

Now that you know what to look for when you purchase a metronome (Part 1), let’s get started with actually practicing with one. A lot of this may be review for more advanced players, but you may want to skim through and see if there any rusty spots in your playing or knowledge.

When you’re getting set up you’ll want to practice with a pick, and if you’re playing amplified, it’s better to practice clean before adding distortion so you can work on playing with clarity and precision that distortion can cover up.

Old Joke: How do you send a guitarist running for the hills? Put a page of sheet music in front of them! It’s true that most guitarists cringe at the thought of reading music, but if you have any aspirations of being a professional guitarist, you will eventually have to face this inevitable evil. The most important part of reading music, even more important than knowing the pitch names and locations, is their rhythmic value or duration.

The basic notational values on a staff are:

Whole Notes	Half Notes	Quarter Notes	8th Notes	Groups of 8th Notes	16th Notes	Groups of 16th Notes	Triplet 8ths

You’ll find that the metronomic break down of music is nothing more than basic mathematics. A whole note is equal to two half notes. A half note is equal to two quarter notes, (therefore a whole note is equal to four quarter notes.) Two 8th notes fit into a quarter note, (4 into a half, and 8 into a whole.) Two 16th notes fit into an 8th note (4 per quarter, 8 per half, and 16 per whole), etc...

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