paranoid

paranoid’s journey of learning music

Part 6

Two things I never, ever imagined I would do let alone agree that it was a good idea to do…practice Scales and use a Metronome!!!!!!

Mind you, I am still not totally disciplined to use a metronome all the time nor practice scales every time I play.  But I better understand why I need to and anyone for that matter that is learning to play needs to.

A metronome helps you develop a sense of time.  This is really important for the roll the bass plays in music.  Most of the music I get will show a note with an equal sign and then a number.  Set your metronome to this number and start playing.  This is the speed of the the song.  I was really surprised to find that DIO’s Holy Diver is at a slower paced 90 (thank God, cause the sixteenth notes I may not have been able to play).

Scales…isn’t this the first thing a teacher wants you to learn, but all you want to do is play your favorite songs?  Well, after I learned about finger patterns, I started playing scales with a metronome.  My fingers got used to the fret board a lot faster, I exercised my fingers, my playing started to smooth out and finger noise started to diminish.  And if I disciplined myself better I would have been saying the notes I was playing so I can remember the finger board better, shame on me….Also when practicing, I learned if you are missing notes or messing them up YOU ARE PLAYING TOO FAST!!!!!!  Slow your ass down!!!  Start off slow then build your speed up.  It will be WORTH IT!!!!!

Also, a scale plays a huge roll in a song.  Your favorite song was written in a certain KEY.  This KEY has a unique corresponding SCALE that goes with it.  All the notes and cords used to play your favorite song are based upon the notes in this scale.  In some songs ALL the notes and chords come ONLY from this scale.

Please, don’t let scales and metronome scare you.  They are your friends!!!!

I never thought I would ever say that……………….

More to come…