Introduction
The metronome is an essential tool for improving musicianship. All musicians should practice with a metronome to develop the ability to perform with a steady rhythm and play notes evenly. When using the metronome in classical music, the performer usually places the metronome click on each beat of the measure or sometimes, when playing at a slower tempo, on each beat and the upbeat. When performing music in a jazz style, many musicians use the metronome in the same manner as when practicing classical literature. However, since performing swing eighth note rhythms in a jazz style is very different than performing even eighth notes in a classical style, it may be helpful for the performer to use the metronome in a manner that simulates the jazz rhythm section, allowing them to practice playing swing eighth notes correctly.
When performing with a jazz rhythm section, it is important for musicians to listen carefully to the bass line, ride cymbal, and high hat in order to place notes in their correct positions rhythmically and to establish a good swing feel. When practicing alone, performers would greatly benefit if the metronome could be used to simulate these instruments, allowing practice to occur in the most realistic environment possible. Although the metronome cannot reproduce bass line or ride cymbal notes, it can be used to reproduce the high hat, which plays on beats two and four in traditional swing music.
Jazz Metronome Technique
To use this technique, the performer should first practice slowly with the metronome clicking on each beat of the measure. This will assure the music is being counted correctly and performed accurately. Next, the metronome should be set at one half the speed it was clicking when used on each beat of the measure. For example, if the musician is practicing a piece at a metronome marking of 160 with the metronome clicking on each beat of the measure, the metronome should now be set at 80 to simulate the high hat. With this setting, the metronome is now clicking two times a measure, on beats two and four, in a 4/4 time signature.
Metronome Clicking on Each Beat / Metronome Clicking on Beats 2 and 4
When first attempting this technique, the performer may hear the two metronome clicks as beats one and three, which is exactly opposite of what the high hat plays in a swing style. To correct this, the musician should audibly count along with the metronome to mentally switch the clicks to beats two and four. For example, at the moment the metronome clicks, the performer should repeatedly begin counting to four, starting on the number two. The number two will be with a metronome click, number three will be between metronome clicks, number four will be on a metronome click, and number one will be between metronome clicks. By doing this the metronome will now be clicking on counts two and four of the measure, simulating the drummer’s high hat. This process should be used until the performer can naturally hear the metronome on beats two and four.
Once this skill has been developed, the musician may attempt another more difficult task. The metronome should now be set to clicking on just the first beat of each measure. This will require the performer to provide their own internal, steady tempo for the other three beats in the measure, which can be much more difficult to do. After this task has been mastered, the performer may try setting the metronome to click on just the first beat of every two measures. The musician may find that this task is very challenging since it will require them to provide their own internal tempo for seven beats. However, if this skill can be mastered, the performer will discover that their time will be much improved.
In addition to using the metronome for practicing scales, chord progressions, patterns and jazz ensemble music, this method is also very beneficial when practicing an improvised solo. When performers use a metronome clicking on beats two and four, they will begin to develop a stronger swing feel and also perform better with the rhythm section, since the drummer’s high hat is being simulated in individual practices. It is highly recommended that all jazz musicians practice with the metronome in this manner.
