Metronome love, pt. 3

So this past weekend ended our second collaboration with Abhinaya Dance Company, the first done back in 1993 when I was still auditioning with SJT.

For one section that I was in, I had sections in a meter of 5. Wasn't particularly fast, but it was on portable okedo, while moving around and interacting with one of their dancers.

Even though I wound up just playing a simple 1 - 3 4 - beat to compliment the orchestra, I had permission for simple soloing in 5. I didn't have a lot of practice time in the studio, and 5 is not quite yet comfortable for me to feel naturally. So I got my metronome out...

While I made food, I had it going. While I brushed my teeth, I had it going. While I tied okedo at the studio, I had it going (with headphones). No, it didn't magically impart "the meter of 5" in my brain, but I was improvising with my voice along to it, and that stuff started sinking in.

You can do this with any meter that your metronome can do. The fancier metronomes can play in a swung beat, triplets, sub-divide, etc. And whether you're just having trouble keeping where the "1" is or trying to solo in odd meters, singing improv along to a metronome trains your brain and you don't even have to focus on it. In fact, when you get used to that little beeping, you'll likely find yourself able to solo verbally without having to pay much attention to what's coming out of your mouth.

Little things like this make you a stronger player. It's not difficult and with this sort of drill, you can go at your own pace. Down the road, in terms of months and years, this really pays off!