Skill 3: Time Keeping

Keeping consistent accurate time is essential. This is a learned skill, and using a metronome often can train your brain and muscles to keep excellent time. Here’s how.

First, keep in mind you want to be able to execute the basic movement of a march, reel, jig or any other rhythm on the bodhrán BEFORE you put a metronome to your rhythm. It’s like ironing a shirt. You want to sew the shirt together before you iron it. Otherwise you’re just ironing pieces that don’t make any sense yet. So, work on executing your rhythm of choice with a play along audio or video. Then, when you’re ready to pull away from the ‘training wheels’ of the audio or video model, and you can execute the rhythm well, put the metronome to work on that rhythm.

What are BPMs?

Metronomes use a measurement of Beats Per Minute. The BPM number is the number of pulses completed within a minute. So, a BPM of 80 will produce 80 pulses in a minute’s time.

Time Signature Settings

Some metronomes have time signature settings. The most useful time signature settings for Irish Trad are 4/4 (2/4) & 3/4. However, once you’ve learned your different rhythm types for Irish traditional music, you’ll find you only need one setting for all of them. But for now, using the 3/4 setting for jigs & slip jigs will be helpful.

Some metronomes provide a simple repeated click or pulse. Others provide a higher pitched pulse or louder pulse for an emphasis pulse: CLICK - click - click - click, for 4/4, or CLICK, click, click, for 3/4. The different pitch or volume allows you to keep track of your initial down beat for the chosen time signature.

In the beginning, you can use the metronome pulse to guide every strike of your drum. You should try this.

For a simple 4/4 march, set the time signature at 4/4 (if you’re metronome has such a setting) and start out at 80 BPM or slower. Try to strike the skin of the drum with your tipper at the same time the pulse sounds. You may find that you’re perception of the passage of time does not match the metronome! Don’t worry, that’s why we’re going through this process. Also, if your strike is louder than the metronome pulse, the pulse may disappear. This can happen if you strike perfectly in time with the metronome’s pulse. You’re loud strike will mask the sound of the metronome pulse. So, while a bit disconcerting at first, it’s a sign that you’re spot on!

For a simple jig rhythm you’ll need to set your metronome to a 3/4 or preferably 6/8 (if that exists in your metronome settings) time signature. You’ll need to coordinate your 1 & 4 strikes of the jig with the metronome’s emphasized pulse. Try setting the BPM at 90 or slower for the jig rhythm.

Play along with your metronome for three to five minutes, or longer if you’re able to do so with consistent accuracy. Start on a low BPM (between 60 and 90) to ensure you maintain consistent accuracy throughout the exercise. When you miss two to three strikes out of ten, put the drum down, take a break, and return for another go after five minutes. This will allow your muscles and synapses to recover from the fatigue you just pushed them to. After multiple repetitions of this exercise, you may find that the time it takes for you to miss two to three stick strikes is shorter. But that’s a sign that you’re getting good work done. TRY NOT TO ‘MUSCLE’ OR ‘FORCE’ YOUR WAY INTO ACCURACY WHEN YOU’VE PUSHED YOUR BODY INTO A FATIGUE PHASE. The best learning happens when your muscles and synapses are fatigued, but you need to practice accurately. So, because you want to keep practicing even when you’re fatigued, and you want to execute the exercise with accuracy, pull the BPM down five BPMs and keep moving forward with the exercise. This extra time will allow your brain to communicate with your muscles and allow your muscles to execute your strikes accurately when you’re fatigued. Remember, your muscles learn deeply and WELL when they are fatigued AND when you execute the task ACCURATELY.

WARNING: if you fatigue your muscles and synapses and then execute the task inaccurately for a period of time, your muscles will learn the inaccurate execution. Essentially, you’ll learn the mistakes. Avoid ‘pushing’ through the exercise if your muscles are fatigued and unable to accurately execute the action. You don’t want to ‘unlearn’ what you’ve done. If this happens, rest and move on to another exercise or wait until tomorrow to practice again.

While this kind of practice is extremely helpful in developing muscle memory and a sense of time, the most enjoyable method of practice is playing along with well executed and slowly played tunes. If you’re fortunate enough to have a friend who can play well executed Irish Traditional melodies slowly, you’re development will greatly benefit from accompanying them as a form of practice and learning.