Joseph "Stix" Davis

I recently started using a metronome for live performances. I’m not exaggerating when I say, it has changed my drumming life, and I wish I had started using one on stage earlier.

 

I don’t have perfect time. I sometimes speed up, and I sometimes slow down when I don’t intend to. I practice with a metronome. My timing has improved over the years, but it’s still not where I would like it to be. Now that I’m regularly performing with bands that have two (sometimes three) guitarists, and they often use tempo based effects on their fancy guitar processors, I really wanted to step up to the next level.

 

At the same time, I didn’t want to throw $1000 or more on a laptop with intricate software. I just wanted a simple click solution. This is what I came up with.

 

Shure SE215 Sound Isolating Earphones - $99

Behringer PowerPlay P1 Personal In-Ear Monitor Amplifier - $50

Korg TM60BK Metronome - $23

⅛” / 3.5mm To XLR Cable - $10

 

$182 total

 

(The Behringer PowerPlay needs 9v batteries or an optional $10 power adapter. The above price does not include those.)

 

Less than $200.

 

I tried connecting the in-ear monitors directly into the metronome, but it was much too quiet. Adding the monitor amplifier allows me to clearly hear the click. The 2nd XLR port on the monitor amplifier allows me to get wired in to hear the rest of the band. In addition, my hearing is protected, and I can still hear everything else that’s going on around the stage.

 

On top of all that, and the biggest point to this article, my playing is substantially better! Since I've been practicing with a click, it didn't take long to get used to it on stage. There’s no guesswork. Beats and fills are solid. Off-beat accents/pick ups/lead ins are a breeze.

 

With all that being said. It's not a magic cure all. Playing with a click has its own challenges, especially if you manage to get off beat from the click. Options are either phase out the click in your head, turn it off for the rest of the song, or slowly adjust to get back on the click.

 

Some drummers or musicians in general may not like playing to a click, because it takes away the "feel" from a song, and it's too "robotic". I disagree. My job as a drummer is to keep time, so the band can stay in sync. Even if it feels like I should go faster, I need to keep the tempo steady, especially if someone has a complex part to perform. The band can still groove, and the band can still jam, even when guided by a click. I think it makes it easier, but that's just me.

 

In short. Playing to a click. HIGHLY recommended.

 

Cheers!

 

- Stix