Metronome

[fourth]

Hey there. I've been wondering: how can you tell if you're in rhythm when you're playing fast and using a metronome? I try to count the duration of the notes to see if I'm in rhythm (especially when playing 16ths or when the rhythm is quite complex), but the playing is so fast that I don't have time to count in my head and as a result, I don't know if I'm in rhythm. Is there a secret to this? Or do people just "feel" it? I'd love to know your thoughts

[Dad3353]

1 hour ago, fourth said:

... I'd love to know your thoughts

 

I'm not sure that I understand the question. I'm a drummer; I don't count 'notes', I count the tempo. If I need to play something fast, when I'm learning it, I play it slowly. Once I've mastered it slowly, I'll increase the tempo, little by little (over a couple of weeks, for instance...) until I can play it at, or slightly faster, than the target tempo. By that time, there's no 'counting' involved, as it's ingrained. The secret to playing anything fast is to play it slowly. Does this help..? 

[ezbass]

You may waver slightly from the actual beat during fast sections, either single note or strumming (it’s only natural when playing fast) but providing you start and finish on the beat, it’s fine and adds a human element to the passage. If you’ve ever heard famous drummers quantised, you’ll notice it feels unnatural, even though it’s bang on time. In short, feel it. At least this is what I do.