General Music Chat

" . . . then, I brought in the METRONOME! ..that settled the beat and quiet them. . . "
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I had similar experiences.
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I used to have members of the band saying the song is too fast or too slow - faster or slower than last week . . .
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We had a couple hand-drummers, but not now. So I am the tempo and rhythm for the song.
As a band, we are: me on guitar/lead vocals, a part-time bassist, a harmonica player/vocalist, a female lead, and a female backup.
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I bought a $100 drum machine.
So, now sometimes we'll play a song against the drum machine.
Time and time again I have proven that the tempo is exactly the same as it's ever been.
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It seems that 'the previous' song will interfere with our perceptions of the tempo on the very next song.
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Ocasionally the majority of the group wants a song faster or slower; and I listen to them, and adjust tempo to whatever is the better sounding speed.
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(As the band leader, I lead from the rear: I listen to everybody, see what they like/dislike, - check it against my preferences - and then usually meet them half way. I make the final decision, - but only after letting everyone have the floor).
I know my own music better than anybody, but I don't know everything. And they oftem make really good suggestions. We have 2 ears and one mouth, and that's about the correct ratio to use them.
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Uh, yeah . . . ANYway . . .
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A drum machine is better than a metronome, of course. It has adjustble tempo, with the addition of varying rhythms.
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And I ocassionally practice to it. I sometimes find certain specific spots in my songs where my tempo is off for maybe 2 - 3 beats, during a complicated change.
15 minutes of practice every 10 days or so is all it takes to lock my familiarity of the tempo & rhythm of a song.
I need to never drift tempo; too fast, and I need to drop stuff out of the song to maintain a steady tempo . . .
The trick is to be sure to start slow. That's often where my memory of rhythm/tempo practice comes in handy - before I even start the song . . .
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When I'm performing in public, I'm sometimes in a different "time-continuum" than everybody else. If I'm thinking a lot faster than normal, my playing - which seems normal speed to me - will sound sped-up to the band-members.
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One additional point: I still play against a click track at times, during personal practice.
I have benefitted equally from both the drum machine AND the click track.
BOTH are excellent.

We had a metronome once, but it was broken. It kept making this annoying clicking noise.


Now I just tap my feet. Works better.

We had a metronome once, but it was broken. It kept making this annoying clicking noise.


Now I just tap my feet. Works better.

I'm one of those types whos skills dont diminish much by not having a practice routine.
Even so, I've lost about 25% of where I used to be... About ten years ago.
That's after about a 4 year stint of not playing much and 6 years of no strict practice schedule.

If I wasn't a slacker who knows where I would be.
But I'm fine with it.

I picked up guitar in 2005.

Very insightful post, RhythmMan! It makes me understand other band members point of view.

My mood, my physical well-being, all affect the tempo, I've noticed.

If my butt's draggin', so will I on the bass. If I'm feelin' antsy, I'll kick everybody into high gear. I've gotten to where I can control this to a large degree, but the temptation is there to alter things occasionally. I stop for a second, & play the recording in my head for a second or two, & I can usually get it right, these days.

The more I play, of course, the less this is an issue.

There have been occasions that I completely changed the feel of a song by attacking it in a totally different direction, too. Sometimes it comes out great, when everyone gets on the same page. I start a lot of the songs in TFRB, so I must keep a short leash on my mind's wanderings...

I picked up guitar in 2005.

You serious? Could have fooled me.

Yes, I'm dead serious.
Played bass in a garage ( pronounced BARN ) band early 80's. After that if I had a second to spare I was training in one form of martial art or another seven days a week. Had an offer to play in a CW band and turned it down.
Can't do justice to both music and kung fu.
Now music is my kung fu.
I appreciate the props, but the reality is I am an amateur player and have to work pretty hard to ever improve on our music.
BandMix and the guys / gals here have been very beneficial to me in a lot of ways as far as information, technique, and equipment.

I guess that's why I'm a loyal Bandmixalero.