The Art of Playing to a Click Track

So, hopefully by now you’ve had a chance to start learning a new instrument. Or… maybe you’re working on perfecting your current instrument. More importantly, my hope is that you’re starting to set up your home studio. Whatever your situation is, there is simply a list of necessary skills that every musician should have. In my opinion, the number one priority on a musicians ‘to do’ list should be to practice playing along to a click track or metronome. I’ve met a surprising amount of musicians who have never practiced in this way. “Isn’t it the drummers job to keep time?” In part, absolutely. However, every member of the band should feel comfortable playing along to a click or metronome. Why? Because it will make you a better musician and you’ll begin to play and jive as a band, instead of 5 instruments playing their own part. Practicing your timing is even more critical in the studio. And isn’t the goal of any musician to actually record your music? I sure hope so. In my opinion, practicing and learning how to play along to a click is not only a necessary skill – it becomes an art form. Here’s a few tips and tricks that will help you get on the right ‘track’:

Your New Best Friend

Plain and simple: The click track is your new best friend in the studio. Too many times, I’ve seen and heard other players (and good ones) talk about the click as this dreaded, painful experience. The main reason for this attitude is that they’ve never practiced with a metronome. Then the session finally calls and it’s a battle the whole time for this amazing player to have feel.

Choose sounds wisely: Another popular myth for this ‘lack of feel’ when using a click is choosing the right sounds! For example, as a drummer – when I play along to a click track in the studio – I immediately pick anything other than drum sounds. Too many times, we set up the easy hi-hat or snare drum click, which sounds exactly like your drum kit! What happens is this tug of war game and confusion as to whether you’re hearing your playing or this so-called click. If you’re a guitar player, you probably wouldn’t want to play along with an annoying plucking guitar string sound, right? So – pick a nice, distinguished sound or loop and get to it. For you pro-tools users, check out this video blog on an easy way to create a click. (courtesy of homestudiocorner.com)

Check your cerebellum: Definition – The cerebellum (Latin for little brain) is a region of the brain that plays an important role in motor control. Studies have shown that the cerebellum is our natural ‘internal clock’. A good exercise when playing to a metronome or click is to shift your prospective as if the click is following you! This way of thinking will subconsciously calibrate your internal clock to naturally follow the tempo. The key here is to relax, keep it simple and don’t over think it.

A Few Suggestions

Ok… that sounds all well and good, Travis, but I don’t have access to a click track or metronome?! No worries, here’s just a few inexpensive, yet valuable suggestions to get you going:

• Korg MA-30 – The MA-30 is the latest offering from Korg’s innovative line of metronomes, with new features like volume control and sophisticated rhythms such as triplets and quadruplets with inner beats omitted. The MA-30 is a multi-function digital metronome with a modern design in a compact, easy-to-use format.

• Boss DB-60 - The BOSS DB-60 Dr. Beat metronome is a handy timekeeper that can lay down a click in style. Along with the standard functions of a metronome, the DB-60 provides a menu of rhythmic patterns, a note-mixing feature to create rhythms that match the feel and style of your music, and the ability to handle time signatures of up to 17 beats per measure.

• Frozen Ape – Tempo - (I use this one a lot) Tired of overpriced metronome apps from the App Store that don’t keep time? Tempo is the app you’ve been waiting for with just the right blend of features and simplicity. Tempo’s engine is written from the ground up for high accuracy and stability. Over that is wrapped an attractive, simple and yet comprehensive single-screen interface. It keeps going even in device lock mode, making it a useful aid for live drumming.

• Headphones – Sennheiser HD280 – Sennheiser HD 280 PRO headphones provide more than just great sound and a comfortable fit; they give you excellent sound isolation from outside sources. This is an especially useful feature for DJs in loud club environments, drummers in the studio, or live sound engineers

Practice!

Finally, the most important point that I can make is to practice, practice, practice. I know it’s a cliche to say that practice makes perfect – well, it’s true. Don’t record another song without setting up your click track. If you’re in a band and you’re rehearsing your next big gig, try rehearsing with a click. You’d be surprised how much tighter the songs will be. Plus, you’ll become a better a musician as a result.

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Tagged as: click track, recording