I study guitar as a hobby. When I practice, I often play a little ahead of the metronome click. I can see it when I record myself with GarageBand.
I have been trying to adjust, but can’t seem to progress.
Is there a metronome app that would give me a strong visual clue when I am not exactly on the beat?
- Edit for clarification: I am looking for an app that will call me out in real-time, either visually or audibly, whenever I play offbeat.
Why am I bothering with this?
I have heard musicians talking about making the metronome sound disappear by playing at the exact right time. I also noticed some people frowning when I play a split second before the click. Is it worth improving that aspect? Is there a better way to do it?
A mechanical metronome will help with a visual indicator, but this smells like a classic XY problem to me. Your issue isn’t that you need a visually distinctive metronome, it’s that you are rushing the beat and need to break that habit.
Sadly, a metronome can only get you halfway in that endeavor. The real fix will be to practice with other musicians who can call you out on it in real-time. It is embarrassing, it is time-consuming, and it isn’t fun, but it WILL break you of the habit and force you to play better. And make sure they call you out on it immediately. As in you do not get to continue the song once it is noticed, and you must start over like dying in a video game.
I hear you. I’m looking for an app that would call me out on it, either visually or audibly, whenever I play offbeat, because musicians are rarely available when I practice.
6 months ago, you offered this advice. I followed it (as well as other suggestions in these comments, and it has helped a lot. I did indeed need to break the habit of rushing the beat. Thank you!