December 01st, 2011

Working with the Metronome
Make sure that you are on top of the click of the metronome, rather than following the click. It is possible to feel like you are with the beat when in fact, you are responding to it, which makes you a little late. Take care to listen for absolute accuracy in between the beats as well: I hear students who are playing 16th notes with a metronome who still have flaws in between the 2nd and 3rd 16th note, for example. Listen for absolute accuracy and even fingers: slow down and gradually bring the passage up to speed. Work with the visual cue on the metronome as well (just the flashing light instead of the sound cue) for variety.