In Justin’s Foundations, IM124 he explains how he practices scales using a metronome.
My question is whether there is any benefit practicing at 160 bpm with 2 beats per click as opposed to practicing at 320 bpm with 1 beat per click? It’s the same speed, just different style. I’d love some feedback. Thanks
Yes, there is a benefit.
One reason is that it can be very hard to hear each beat with fast tempos.
The other is that it’s pretty common to be playing something like sixteenth notes, across a 4/4 straightforward beat. So being able to play in time with the music (& metronome), without something external providing every beat is a necessary skill.
Hello Joy,
I am not sure if I understand it correctly, but having less clicks in full bar will teach you to “feel the time” so you are working also on your inner timming without “help for every beat”. If it makes sense and if I understand it correctly.
Also in my POV listening to 160 BPM for 5 minutes sounds pretty psycho and messy to me.
Thanks, it’s definitely more challenging. I’ll work on it.
I just want to add, it’s also about feeling the “main” beats. E.g. 6/8 has a very distinct 3 + 3 feel, and if you simply set the metronome to click on every 8th beat, you would probably lose that time feel.
I have found it useful to start at 60bpm on the beat, then two notes per click, i.e. eighth notes, then three notes per click for triplets and then up to 4 notes per click a to give 16th notes.
This gives you the same practice on the scale or left/right hand timing co ordination but also trains your time feel at the same time.