Any idea if there is a practical way to do this? When playing with guitar only, how could I get the tempo? I mean, in rehearsal, say that I figure that 72bpm is perfect... how could I start that song right? Sometimes I play a song and I am thinking, Man, this is too dang slow... or fast. Too late to start over.

You can buy a digital metronone with earplug for around $20.00.
Don

That might look kinda funny. I thought of that. Maybe if one has a digital display where you could see the beat you wouldn't have to be noticed. With an arranger, you can see the beat. I dunno, seems like a silly question. But a proper beat sure can make a difference.

The metronome idea is a good one. just use the Visual feedback rather than the audible feedback to establish your temp.

I am a drummer with 44 years experience and I can start a beat at any BPM without any assistance. It just goes to show you if you do something long enough, your bound to learn somthin'!

That is so cool. I've wondered about that. Except it doesn't applay to me and lyrics. I've sang some songs 500 times and still stumble. I think I've drank too many budweisers in my day.

I was rethinking your post, Semi, and I'm starting to think; Geez does it really matter how fast or slow you deviate from the original tune? If you put your own style to it and it sounds good, what does it matter?

And, I have actually heard many performers change speeds mid-sing after bridges, chorus, etc. it's really not a crime to make a correction unless it's REALLY noticable.

Dont be so hung up on the speed, as long as it sounds good to you and the audience dig's it, your in good shape.

Al

I totally agree with you except when I finish I think it was too slow or too fast. Usually, it's okay, I have a decent sense of time. Mainly, the thought came from when I am playing guitar for a female singer and then later she gripes and says it was too fast for her. And she was right.

Tempo can be critical especially for "formation" dancing. My drummer can also do the "absolute tempo" trick... but only after a few years with an electronic metronome.

The other problem people have (and don't realise until they use an absolutely non-variant tempo as a guide) is just how much their tempo varies as they play.

Mac, you are so right. It took me years of playing against metronomes and music tracks to perfect the perfect timing thing, even though I think I was born with a metronome stuck in my head.

Semi, your right, playing with a singer in a duo is really tough because you don't have anyone else starting tempos and keeping you on track.

One trick we drummers use is to start counting off the beat before you start playing and making sure the singer or band is comfortable with that tempo before you start the song. If they say go, your all set if they roll the finger, go faster, if they do what I call a basketball dribble motion, slow it down.

When you count it off, you can do it softly or tap it off with your foot so she can see and hear the count.

Try that and see if that helps.

Al

I play in a guitar duo where I play lead, and my partner plays rhythm guitar. It can be surprisingly difficult to get the beat just right. What we do is when learning a new piece, we start off playing with a metronome, or set a suitable beat going on the KN7000, until we are reasonably comfortable with the tempo. Then we turn off the metronome (or keyboard) and try to maintain the same beat on our own. This approach works very well for us.

Mark.